Treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms with a self-expanding stent system: initial clinical experience

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Currently available stents for intracranial use usually are balloon-expandable coronary stents that carry the risk of damaging a dysplastic segment of the artery, with potential vessel rupture. We assessed the technical feasibility and efficacy of the combined application of a flexible, self-expanding neurovascular stent and detachable coils in the management of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms in humans. METHODS: Four consecutive patients with a wide-necked intracranial aneurysm were treated with a combined approach that consisted of delivery of a flexible self-expanding neurovascular stent through a microcather to cover the neck of the aneurysm and subsequent filling of the aneurysm with coils through the stent interstices. The aneurysms were located at the internal carotid artery (n=2) and the basilar tip encroaching the P1 segment (n=2). Previous attempts with conventional endosaccular coil packing alone failed in all cases. RESULTS: Stent placement in the desired position with complete or nearly complete occlusion of the aneurysms was feasible in all patients. In one patient, aneurysm perforation with the microcatheter occurred and necessitated ventricular drainage, which led to a large parenchymal and intraventricular hemorrhage because of the strong anticoagulation regimen. Six-month follow-up demonstrated no focal neurologic sequelae in any of the patients, except slight memory dysfunction in the patient with bleeding. CONCLUSION: Preliminary data demonstrate that this extremely flexible stent is technically easy to deploy and can be easily and safely maneuvered through severely tortuous vessels, enabling the treatment of intracranial wide-necked aneurysms. The combination of endovascular reconstruction of the parent vessel with use of a self-expanding stent followed by coil embolization offers a promising therapeutic alternative for wide-necked aneurysms not amenable to coil embolization alone. Although immediate angiographic results are promising, long-term angiographic and clinical follow-up is essential to determine permanent vessel patency and aneurysm occlusion rate.     

支架结合弹簧圈在栓塞颅内复杂动脉瘤中的应用

目的 探讨支架结合弹簧圈在栓塞颅内复杂动脉瘤中的应用价值以及急性期使用支架的安全性.资料与方法 29例患者,32个动脉瘤.采用Neuroform支架,弹簧圈主要采用Matrix、Orbit圈,分析栓塞效果.急性期支架辅助栓塞宽颈动脉瘤20例.择期栓塞患者术前3天予以强抗血小板聚集药物,所有患者术后予强抗血小板聚集药物及5天抗凝治疗.术后复查21例.结果 所有病例栓塞操作均顺利完成,无手术并发症;除1例巨大动脉瘤为次全栓塞外,其他均致密栓塞.其中1枚支架覆盖2个动脉瘤并栓塞3例,支架辅助栓塞巨大宽颈动脉瘤3例,支架置入行二期动脉瘤颈残留弹簧圈再栓塞2例,动脉瘤常规弹簧圈栓塞后3年复发再以支架辅助栓塞1例.急症支架辅助微弹簧圈栓塞动脉瘤未发现支架内血栓形成或狭窄堵塞.复查21例中,除1例次全栓塞的巨大动脉瘤出现动脉瘤腔部分显影外,其余20例均未见动脉瘤显影.结论 支架结合不同型号弹簧圈栓塞有助于提高颅内复杂动脉瘤的治疗成功率;急性期可以使用支架,但在未行抗血小板聚集药物准备的前提下,其安全性有待进一步研究.     

Primary treatment of ruptured blood blister-like aneurysms with stent-assisted coil embolization: report of two cases

Blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs) are among the most hazardous cerebrovascular aneurysms to treat; microsurgical treatment of these small, wide-necked, and exceptionally fragile aneurysms place patients at significant risk of morbidity or mortality. We report two cases of ruptured BBAs attempted to be treated for the first time with stent-assisted coil embolization solely and review the current literature on treatment options. Our patients underwent stent-assisted coil embolization of the aneurysms in the acute stage of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). One patient was successfully treated without procedure-related complications. The other patient died after surgical internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion, carried out after intraoperative rerupture of the aneurysm during the endovascular treatment. In the successful case, 8-month and 19-month follow-up angiograms demonstrated incomplete (>90%) occlusion with residual filling of the aneurysm neck, which did not need additional coil embolization. Even though stent-assisted coil embolization of ruptured BBAs in the acute stage appears to be a technically feasible treatment option, the present stent-related endovascular technology has potentially hazardous drawbacks.     

Neck-bridge device for endovascular treatment of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms: initial experience.

PURPOSE: To report the authors' initial experience in treating patients with wide-neck aneurysms with assistance from a recently developed neck-bridge device (TriSpan; Target Therapeutics/Boston Scientific, Fremont, Calif). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients were examined. Aneurysms were most frequently at the basilar bifurcation (n = 19). Sixteen aneurysms were treated electively: six aneurysms that recurred after coil-only embolization and 10 nontreated aneurysms (including four that had failed coil-only embolization). Nine aneurysms were treated acutely following subarachnoid hemorrhage. All lesions except one had a wide neck. A dual-catheter technique was used in 23 patients. Immediate angiographic results, technical incidents, and complications were recorded. Follow-up angiography was performed in 16 patients. Clinical follow-up ranged from 1 to 12 months. RESULTS: Neck-bridge device-assisted coil packing was successfully performed in 23 lesions, with complete obliteration in three, residual necks in 13, and a minimal residual sac in seven patients. Parent vessel protection failed, with coil protrusion and arterial occlusion, in one of these patients. Other complications that were not directly related to use of the neck-bridge device included retroperitoneal hematoma, rebleeding, coil perforation, and transient embolic arterial occlusion. One patient died of vasospasm and heart failure. Follow-up angiography revealed complete obliteration in four, a residual neck in one, a persistent residual sac in four, and recurrent aneurysm in seven patients. One patient had a small occipital infarction 5 weeks after treatment. CONCLUSION: The described neck-bridge device is useful for assisting coil embolization of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms.     

Stent-assisted coil embolization of wide-necked renal artery bifurcation aneurysms

PURPOSE: To report preliminary results of stent-assisted coil embolization in the treatment of wide-necked renal artery bifurcation aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four patients (three women, one man; mean age, 54 years; range, 49-67 y) with wide-necked renal artery aneurysms were treated with dedicated neurointerventional self-expanding nitinol stent-assisted coil embolization during a 2-year period. The stent was delivered over the neck of the aneurysm, after which the aneurysm was filled with detachable coils through a microcatheter placed into the aneurysm through the stent mesh. RESULTS: Stent delivery and coil embolization was successfully completed in all cases. Complete aneurysm occlusion without coil protrusion or arterial flow compromise was obtained in all patients. A small peripheral subsegmental renal infarction necessitating no therapy was registered in one patient on postembolization computed tomography. At follow-up angiography 1 year after embolization, no aneurysm recanalization or arterial obstruction was registered. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary experience indicates that stent-assisted coil embolization is technically feasible and effective for the exclusion of challenging renal artery bifurcation aneurysms without the sacrifice of any branch arteries.     

Endovascular treatment of posterior cerebral artery aneurysms using detachable coils

Introduction Aneurysms of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) are rare, and most of the studies reported in the literature in which the endovascular approach was applied were carried out on a limited number of patients with PCA aneurysms. We retrospectively reviewed our cases of PCA aneurysms – at various locations and of differing shapes – that received endovascular treatment and evaluated the treatment outcome. Methods From January 1996 to December 2006, 13 patients (eight females and five males) with 17 PCA aneurysms (nine fusiform and eight saccular) were treated using the endovascular approach. The age of the patients ranged from 20 to 67 years, with a mean age of 44 years. Of the 13 patients, ten presented with intracranial hemorrhage, and one patient, with a large P2 aneurysm, presented with trigeminal neuralgia; the aneurysms were asymptomatic in the remaining two patients. Results All 13 patients were successfully treated, with only one procedure-related symptomatic complication. Seven patients were treated by occlusion of the aneurysm and parent artery together; five patients, by selective embolization of the aneurysm; one patient, by partial coiling. Although infarctions were found in two patients treated with selective embolization and in three patients treated with parent artery occlusion, only one patient with a ruptured P2 aneurysm treated with parent artery occlusion developed transient amnesia as an ischemic symptom. Conclusion Posterior cerebral artery aneurysms can be treated safely with either occlusion of the aneurysm together with the PCA or with a selective coil embolization. Infarctions may occur after endovascular treatment, but they are rarely the cause of a disabling symptom.     

942例颅内动脉瘤患者血管内治疗围术期出血并发症分析及防治

目的：分析942例颅内动脉瘤患者行血管内治疗的围术期出血并发症发生情况，并探讨其处理措施。 方法：收集2011年1月至2019年4月复旦大学附属华山医院收治的942例颅内动脉瘤患者（1 055个动脉瘤），分析围术期出血并发症发生原因，探讨围术期用药方案，总结防治措施。 结果：本组942例患者发生出血性并发症共12例（1.27%），其中术中出血9例、术后出血3例。9例术中出血无一例致死致残，其中因弹簧圈损伤瘤腔致动脉瘤破裂6例，微导管损伤瘤腔致动脉瘤破裂2例，微导丝损伤远端小分支导致出血1例。9例患者均预后良好，出院前mRS评分较入院时未增加。术后出血3例均死亡，其中2例蛛网膜下腔出血可能与瘤腔栓塞不全或术后肝素化有关，1例基底节区血肿可能与术后血压一过性增高有关。 结论：术前不常规应用抗血小板聚集药物及肝素化可降低术中出血导致的致死率，及时识别并处理后多数患者预后良好。术后出血发生率低，但预后差，病死率高。术前充分评估危险因素，术中致密填塞瘤腔，术后慎用抗凝治疗，可改善出血患者的预后。     

Does endoluminal coil embolization cause distension of intracranial aneurysms?

Introduction The aim of the present study was to determine whether intracranial aneurysms are distended after coil embolization and to evaluate the distensibility of ruptured aneurysms treated with endovascular coiling.Methods This was a prospective study of 20 consecutive patients with 22 aneurysms, who presented with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm and were treated with endovascular coiling of the aneurysm in a single institution. A diagnostic digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and a three-dimensional radiographic angiography (3DRA) were performed with bi-plane angiography equipment (Philips V5000) immediately before and after the embolization procedure to detect volume enlargement of the aneurysm after embolization, and the extent of the enlargement. A simulation study with steel spheres was carried out to study the possible error of over-estimation of the postembolization volume due to the beam-hardening artifact.Results There was no procedure-related rupture of the aneurysms. The percentage by volume of solid coil within the coil mass ranged from 15.78% to 82.01% in the present series. All aneurysms showed distension which ranged from 0.09% to 34.23%. The distensibility of the aneurysms was 34.23%. Error due to the beam-hardening artifact was negligible.Conclusion Endoluminal packing of intracranial saccular aneurysms with embolization coils could cause a certain degree of distension in aneurysms treated with coil embolization, with the degree of distension up to 34.2%. Intracranial aneurysms were able to tolerate a certain degree of endoluminal distension without a risk of immediate rupture, even those that had ruptured recently.     

Detection of microemboli distal to cerebral aneurysms before and after therapeutic embolization.

PURPOSERecently developed interventional radiologic techniques, such as embolization with platinum coils, may induce thrombus formation within an aneurysm. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of microemboli distal to untreated and treated cerebral aneurysms.METHODSAmong a total of 110 patients treated with platinum coil embolization, 35 patients (27 women and eight men, aged 50+/-10 years) who were at high risk of ischemic complications underwent emboli detection with a transcranial Doppler sonographic monitoring system. All patients were studied before and after coil embolization. The aneurysms were located at the internal carotid artery (n=14), the basilar artery (n=10), the middle cerebral artery (n=7), or the vertebral artery (n=4). Twenty-nine (85%) of 35 patients were monitored within 6 hours of the completion of treatment.RESULTSMicroemboli distal to the aneurysm were not detected in any of the patients before treatment. Microemboli were detected in 11 patients (31%) after embolization (mean, 16+/-21 per hour; range, 1-74 per hour). Microemboli were detected in five (71%) of seven patients in whom ischemic complications occurred after treatment, but in only six (21%) of 28 asymptomatic patients. This difference was statistically significant. The rate of occurrence of emboli in patients with ischemic complications (23+/-30 emboli per hour) was higher than in asymptomatic patients (10+/-7 emboli per hour), but this difference was not statistically significant.CONCLUSIONMicroemboli were detected significantly more often in patients who suffered from cerebral ischemia after coil embolization of an intracranial aneurysm. This observation supports the definition of a high-risk group of patients with incomplete embolization or with a large-diameter, broad-neck aneurysm. The early detection of microemboli after treatment may be an indicator for excessive intraaneurysmal thrombus formation and could influence the decision for prophylactic treatment with heparin or aspirin.     

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in patients with Hunt and Hess grade 4 or 5: treatment using the Guglielmi detachable coil system

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients in poor clinical condition (Hunt and Hess grade 4 or 5) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) have historically fared poorly and many often were excluded from aggressive treatment. Early aggressive surgical treatment of SAH can produce good-quality survival for a higher percentage of patients than previously reported. We assessed the outcome of patients with Hunt and Hess grade 4 or 5 who were treated with Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) embolization. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the records of 27 consecutive grade 4 and 5 patients with 29 aneurysms treated within 72 hours of SAH by using GDCs. Percentage aneurysm occlusion after embolization, perioperative complications, and symptoms of vasospasm were evaluated. Outcome was assessed with the Glasgow Outcome Scale. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (59%) were grade 4, and 11 (41%) were grade 5. Eighteen (67%) had one aneurysm, six (22%) had two aneurysms, and three (11%) had three aneurysms. Twenty-nine aneurysms were treated. Fourteen (48%) were completely occluded, and four (14%) were nearly completely occluded (>/=95% occlusion) at embolization. Eleven aneurysms (38%) had partial coiling (<95% occlusion). In the 27 patients, one technical (4%) and one clinical (4%) complication occurred at embolization. No rehemorrhage occurred in any patients (follow-up, 6-44 months; mean, 23 months). Twenty-five (92%) had vasospasm, and seven required endovascular treatment because of worsening clinical status. Sixteen patients (59%) died within 30 days of SAH. Eight patients (30%) had a good clinical outcome at a mean follow-up of 23 months. CONCLUSION: Patients with Hunt and Hess grade 4 or 5 after SAH can undergo successful coil embolization of the aneurysms despite their poor medical condition and a high frequency of vasospasm at the time of treatment. Morbidity and mortality rates with this disease are still high. These findings compare favorably with those published in surgical series for aggressively treated patients with Hunt and Hess grade 4 or 5.     

Three-dimensional packing with complex orbit coils for the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms is too often associated with aneurysm recurrence due to coil compaction. High packing of coils prevents compaction. To increase the packing attenuation, we sought to evaluate the results of selective embolization of aneurysms with complex-shaped coils alone. METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients with an intracranial aneurysm were treated by selective embolization. There were 12 women and eight men, with a mean age of 48 years. Fourteen patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage, whereas six were asymptomatic. Mean size of aneurysms was 5 mm (range, 3-11 mm). In all cases, we tried to pack the aneurysm with complex coils only (Orbit, Cordis, Miami Lakes, FL), delivered in a concentric fashion. Remodeling technique was used in two cases of wide-neck aneurysms. Clinical and anatomic outcome were assessed by using the modified Glasgow outcome scale and 6-month MR angiography (MRA). RESULTS: From two to five complex coils were delivered within the aneurysms. Occlusion by using complex coils alone was successful in 16 patients, and resulted in 14 complete occlusions and two neck remnants. In four patients, additional helical Orbit coils or Guglielmi detachable coils were required to complete aneurysm obliteration. No technical complication occurred, and clinical outcome was excellent in 14 cases and good in two. Follow-up MRAs were obtained in all patients and showed only one slight recanalization. CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial aneurysms may be treated by selective embolization with complex coils only. Imaging follow-up at 6 months shows a low rate of coil compaction.     

大型/巨大型颅内动脉瘤支架辅助与单纯弹簧圈栓塞术后复发率比较

目的 比较单纯弹簧圈栓塞和支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞颅内大型/巨大型动脉瘤的复发率及远期血管造影随访结果.方法 回顾性分析2004年1月至2016年1月收治的90例(91枚)大型或巨大型(＞10 mm)颅内动脉瘤患者临床及影像资料,其中接受单纯弹簧圈栓塞治疗(NAC组)52例(52枚),支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞治疗(SAC组)38例(39枚),统计分析两组间术后动脉瘤复发率差异及复发危险因素.结果 术后动脉瘤复发率、再治疗率分别为38.5％(35/91)、20.9％(19/91),其中SAC组分别为35.9％(14/39)与17.9％(7/39),NAC组分别为40.4％(21/52)与23.1％(12/52),但两组间差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).多因素Logistic回归分析显示,破裂动脉瘤(OR=0.284,95％CI=0.083～0.978,P=0.046)、单纯弹簧圈栓塞(OR=5.03,95％CI=1.04～24.44,P=0.045)、伴有高血压(OR=0.13,95％CI=0.036～0.51,P=0.003)及远期随访(OR=1.002,95％CI=1.001～1.003,P=0.002)是大型/巨大型动脉瘤复发的危险因素.结论 支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞可降低颅内大型/巨大型动脉瘤复发率,动脉瘤破裂、单纯弹簧圈栓塞、远期随访及伴发高血压是动脉瘤栓塞术后复发的独立危险因素.     

Guglielmi detachable coil embolization for ruptured lower-midbasilar trunk aneurysms – a report of five cases

Detachable coil embolization currently plays an essential role for patients with ruptured basilar artery aneurysms, even though it may have an unfavorable outcome and there may be some technical problems of embolization. We describe Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) embolization for five ruptured lower-mid basilar trunk aneurysms, using a variety of techniques. The patients' ages ranged from 61 to 78 years; Hunt and Kosnik grade was distributed from 2 to 4, and three patients were found to have fenestrations of the lower basilar arteries. All patients underwent aneurysmal embolization at the subacute or chronic stage. The transfemoral route was used in three patients – one of whom, with a wide-necked aneurysm, was treated by the balloon remodeling technique. The transbrachial approach was chosen for the fourth patient, while vertebral artery origin exposure followed by a direct puncture was achieved in the fifth. All patients were assessed with 80–100 % aneurysmal obliteration. No patient re-bled after the embolization. Small cerebellar infarction, possibly due to embolism from the obliterated aneurysmal sac, occurred 11 days after the treatment. Of the five patients, four achieved a good recovery, and one became severely disabled. Ruptured basilar trunk aneurysms can be successfully treated with GDC embolization. In addition to the routine transfemoral route, the transbrachial route, direct vertebral artery puncture, and balloon remodeling technique are also useful for the embolization of this location of aneurysm. Received: 16 November 2000/Accepted: 13 March 2001     

Endovascular treatment of middle cerebral artery aneurysms with electrolytically detachable coils

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms often have an unfavorable aneurysm geometry that might limit endovascular therapy. Our purpose was to analyze the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of coil embolization in a consecutive series of MCA aneurysms chosen for endovascular treatment. PATIENTS AND TECHNIQUES: Of 235 MCA aneurysms seen at our institution during the past 5 years, 36 patients harboring 38 MCA aneurysms were primarily selected for coil embolization: 18 patients had an acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), 16 of which were due to a ruptured MCA aneurysm. SAH was classified according to Hunt and Hess grade: I (5), II (7), III (5), IV (0), and V (1). RESULTS: Complete occlusion could be achieved in 33 of 38 aneurysms. In 5 aneurysms, coil embolization was not performed because of an unfavorable aneurysm geometry with a wide neck or incorporation of adjacent branches (3) or failed because of insecure coil placement (1) or severe vasospasm (1). Procedural complications included coil protrusion into the parent artery (1), and thromboembolic M2 occlusion (5), with recanalization in 4 of 5 cases. Of 8 aneurysms with initial subtotal occlusion, 3 progressed to total occlusion during follow-up. Three aneurysms had to be retreated, and no patient rebled. Glasgow Outcome Scale at 6 months for the patients with SAH (17/18) was good recovery (12), moderate disability (4), severe disability (0), persistent vegetative state (0), and death (1); outcomes for patients with an incidental aneurysm (17/18) were good recovery (16) and moderate disability (1). CONCLUSION: Endovascular coil embolization can be performed safely and effectively in selected MCA aneurysms. Initial subtotal aneurysm occlusion might progress to total occlusion.     

Endovascular treatment of peripheral intracranial aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Distally located cerebral aneurysms are difficult to treat with preservation of the parent vessel. We report the angiographic results and clinical outcome for 27 patients with peripheral cerebral aneurysms. METHODS: From January 2000 to June 2005, 27 patients, 13 female and 14 male, presented to our institution with peripheral intracranial aneurysms and were treated endovascularly. None of these aneurysms were mycotic in origin. The age of our patients ranged from 23 to 76 years with a mean age of 53. Twenty of the 27 patients had subarachnoid and/or intracerebral hemorrhage upon presentation. In 5 patients, the aneurysm was an incidental finding. One patient with a fusiform P2 aneurysm presented with cranial nerve III palsy, and another patient with P4 aneurysm had visual disturbances. Locations of the aneurysms were as follows: posterior cerebral artery in 9 patients, superior cerebellar artery in 5 patients, anterior inferior cerebellar artery in 1 patient, posterior inferior cerebellar artery in 5 patients, middle cerebral artery (MCA) in 5 patients, and anterior cerebral artery in 2 patients. RESULTS: Seven patients were treated with selective embolization with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs). Nineteen patients with fusiform aneurysms underwent parent artery occlusion (PAO). Fifteen PAOs were performed with coils and 4 with glue. One patient with a MCA aneurysm was found at the time of planned embolization to have spontaneously thrombosed the aneurysm and the distal branch of the MCA, 1 day after the initial diagnostic angiogram. Five patients (5/18 or 27.7%) who underwent PAO developed neurologic deficits. Two patients (2/18 or 11.1%) had permanent neurologic deficits (a visual field defect). CONCLUSION: Our results support that distally located aneurysms can be treated with endovascular PAO in the cases in which selective occlusion of the aneurysmal sac with GDC or surgical clipping cannot be achieved.     

Late Recurrence of a Hepatic Artery Aneurysm After Treatment Using an Endovascular Stent

Endovascular stent placement and coil embolization have become established options in the treatment of visceral arterial aneurysms. In this article we report the case of an 83-year-old presenting with gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to a recurrent hepatic arterial aneurysm occurring 12 years after treatment with an endovascular stent. The recurrent aneurysm had resulted from stent fracture and was successfully treated by coil embolization. To our knowledge, stent fracture complicating the endovascular treatment of a visceral artery aneurysm has not been described in the published literature. With the increasing use of metallic endoprostheses in interventional radiology, recognizing and reporting device failure are of critical importance.     

Treatment of intracranial broad-neck aneurysms with a new self-expanding stent and coil embolization

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular treatment of broad-neck intracranial aneurysms with detachable coils requires special techniques. Placement of a stent over the aneurysm neck and secondary coil embolization prevents coil migration and allows attenuated packing of the coils. However, access for the stent-delivery system can be technically limited in tortuous anatomy. We present six cases of broad-neck aneurysms treated with a new self-expanding stent and coil embolization. METHODS: Three aneurysms of the supraophthalmic internal carotid artery and three aneurysms of the basilar tip with extension to the origin of a posterior cerebral artery were treated. The stent was a new self-expanding stent with a 3F over-the-wire microcatheter delivery system. Coil embolization was performed with electrolytically detachable coils. Time-of-flight MR angiography was performed after treatment in five cases. Three other patients could not be treated with the stent because deployment was not possible after correct positioning of the delivery system. RESULTS: Access with the stent-delivery system was easy, and the aneurysm neck was covered sufficiently. After stent placement, total coil embolization was achieved in four and subtotal coil embolization was achieved in two. Parent arteries remained open, and no secondary coil migration was seen. On follow-up MR imaging, the stent was clearly visible and patency of the parent vessel and emerging branches was assessable. CONCLUSION: This new stent is a safe and efficient tool for the endovascular treatment of intracranial broad-neck aneurysms. Access to smaller vessels was easy, but the mechanism of deployment had to be improved. Follow-up MR imaging was sufficient.     

Isolated progressive visual loss after coiling of paraclinoid aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The proximity of the paraclinoid segment of the internal carotid artery to the visual pathways may result in visual deficits when patients present with aneurysms in this segment. Although surgical clip ligation of these aneurysms has been the standard of care for decades, the advent of coil embolization has permitted endovascular therapy in those aneurysms with favorable dome-to-neck ratios. Although immediate nonprogressive visual loss after coil embolization of paraclinoid aneurysms has been well described, isolated progressive visual loss immediately or shortly following coil embolization, to our knowledge, has not. We have identified 8 patients who experienced progressive loss of vision, unassociated with any other neurologic deficits, developing immediately or shortly after apparently uncomplicated coil embolization of a paraclinoid aneurysm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective case series of 8 patients seen at 4 separate academic institutions. Inpatient and outpatient records were examined to determine patient demographics, previous ocular and medical history, and ophthalmic status before endovascular embolization. In addition, details of the primary endovascular therapy and subsequent surgical and nonsurgical interventions were recorded. Follow-up data, including most recent best-corrected visual acuity, postoperative course, and duration of follow-up were documented. RESULTS: Eight patients developed progressive visual loss in 1 or both eyes immediately or shortly after apparently uncomplicated coiling of a paraclinoid aneurysm. MR imaging findings suggested that the visual loss was most likely caused by perianeurysmal inflammation related to the coils used to embolize the aneurysm, enlargement or persistence of the aneurysm despite coiling, or a combination of these mechanisms. Most patients experienced improvement in vision, 2 apparently related to treatment with systemic corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: Patients in whom endovascular treatment of a paraclinoid aneurysm is contemplated should be warned about the potential for both isolated nonprogressive and progressive visual loss in 1 or both eyes. Patients in whom progressive visual loss occurs may benefit from treatment with systemic corticosteroids.     

Stent-assisted coil embolization of wide-necked posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms

Introduction

Endovascular coil embolization of posterior circulation aneurysms has advantages over a surgical approach. However, the application of coil embolization is sometimes limited in wide-necked posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms, which are incorporating the origin of the branch. Presented here is a series of patients who were subjected to stent-supported coil embolization of PICA aneurysms.

Methods

From a prospective data repository, we retrieved records of seven consecutive patients with PICA aneurysms, all of whom were treated by stent-assisted coil embolization between January 2010 and November 2012. Outcomes were analyzed in terms of aneurysm morphology and clinical status.

Results

In all seven instances, the stents were placed from proximal PICA to vertebral artery (VA). A retrograde approach, via contralateral VA, was performed in five patients, where the origin of PICA from VA assumed an acute angle. In the other two patients, where the angles were obtuse, the stenting was done antegrade, via ipsilateral VA. Out of five patients with retrograde approach, single puncture and a single guiding catheter sufficed in three patients, whereas the remaining two patients required dual puncture and two guiding catheters. Endovascular treatments, as performed, resulted in excellent outcomes for all seven patients, although an asymptomatic thrombus developed in one patient with a ruptured aneurysm.

Conclusion

For coil embolization of PICA aneurysm requiring stent protection, either ipsilateral or contralateral VA access routes may be used, depending on the angle of PICA origin and the configuration of the aneurysm.     

Endovascular treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms with detachable coils: long-term clinical and serial angiographic results

PURPOSE: To evaluate the stability of aneurysm occlusion over time, the need for additional treatments, and the long-term clinical outcome of patients, with emphasis on late recurrences of bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 160 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage who were treated with coils were retrospectively reviewed. Follow-up angiography was performed 6 and 18 months after coil placement, and the results were classified as complete, near complete, and incomplete occlusion. RESULTS: Six (4%) of the 160 patients experienced procedural mortality or dependency. After a mean follow-up of 36 months, 134 (84%) patients had a good outcome. Outcome was independent of aneurysm size and location and timing of treatment. Reopening of the aneurysm occurred exclusively during the first 6 months after coil placement, mainly in aneurysms larger than 15 mm. Between 6 and 18 months, no change in aneurysm occlusion was observed. Additional coil placement was performed in 15 (9%) patients. After this second coil placement, nine (7%) aneurysms were still incompletely occluded. Additional therapy was performed in eight (5%) patients. Two recurrences of bleeding were observed in two incompletely occluded large aneurysms. No recurrences of bleeding occurred in patients with completely or near completely occluded aneurysms. CONCLUSION: Coil placement is an effective and safe treatment strategy for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. If aneurysm occlusion is sufficient at 6 months, the yield of further follow-up angiography is very low.