血管内支架结合GDC栓塞治疗基底动脉顶端宽颈动脉瘤

目的 报道应用血管内支架结合电解可脱卸弹簧圈栓塞治疗1例未破裂的基底动脉顶端宽颈动脉瘤的经验及结果。方法 将球囊膨胀型血管内支架跨动脉瘤瘤颈部位置入并准确释放后，微导管超选进入动脉瘤内填塞弹簧圈。结果 支架成功的置入，支架近端在基底动脉，远端在大脑后动脉近段，动脉瘤得到次全栓塞(90％以上)，载瘤动脉及毗邻的侧支血管保持通畅，患者恢复满意。结论 血管内支架结合弹簧圈栓塞治疗基底动脉顶端宽颈动脉瘤是可行的，支架植入对侧支血管血流无明显影响。     

Neuroform支架辅助栓塞基底动脉宽颈动脉瘤

目的 探讨应用自膨胀颅内专用支架(Neuroform支架)与弹簧圈栓塞相结合治疗基底动脉宽颈动脉瘤技术的临床应用价值.方法 采用Neuroform支架与弹簧圈结合栓塞治疗30例基底动脉宽颈动脉瘤.其中基底动脉末端动脉瘤16例,基底动脉中段9例,基底动脉起始部5例.结果 30例中,25例致密栓塞,5例部分栓塞.仅2例术中发生支架内血栓,其余患者均恢复良好出院.临床随访20例,随访期3～6个月,无血栓栓塞症状发生.22例术后3个月血管造影随访:19例致密栓塞的动脉瘤均末显影,载瘤动脉通畅;3例动脉瘤颈有残留.结论 Neuroform颅内支架使用方便、安全,适用于颅内基底动脉宽颈动脉瘤的支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞,特别适用于迂曲的脑血管.     

颅内破裂囊状动脉瘤的血管内治疗

目的 探讨颅内破裂囊状动脉瘤的血管内治疗的价值和技术.方法 回顾性分析上海市静安区中心医院和上海华山医院2004年7月-2008年5月.因自发性颅内出血患者就诊,经全脑DSA检查,确诊颅内囊状动脉瘤138例患者,共149枚动脉瘤.(剔除<2mm的微小动脉瘤患者);并行血管内栓塞治疗.结果 本组128枚(86%)囊性动脉瘤完全栓塞;12枚(8%)95%栓塞;9枚(6%)栓塞小于95%,其中4个为宽颈动脉瘤,5个为宽颈大动脉瘤.138例患者中93例(67.4%)患者进行了全脑血管造影随访,DSA随访从6～36个月,平均16.8个月.其中4例(4.3%)复发,但均无再次破裂出血发生.结论 颅内囊性动脉瘤血管内治疗并中期随访提示颅内破裂囊性动脉瘤介入治疗是一种安全、有效的治疗方法;破裂囊性动脉瘤栓塞的重点是栓塞瘤颈和载瘤动脉相邻的真性动脉瘤,远端如形成动脉瘤囊泡或假囊,栓塞时无需栓塞或致密栓塞.长期效果有待进一步随访.     

血管内介入治疗周围型颅内动脉瘤17例

目的 报道血管内介入治疗周围型颅内动脉瘤的效果和临床经验,探讨介入治疗策略.方法 2010年1月至2015年12月采用血管内介入术治疗17例周围型颅内动脉瘤(男7例,女10例,平均年龄52.1岁),1例为偶然发现的血流相关性动脉瘤,16例为蛛网膜下腔出血,其中3例伴有脑实质内血肿,1例伴发脑室内出血,1例为偶然发现的其它部位动脉瘤破裂.动脉瘤位于小脑上动脉1例,脉络膜前动脉1例,大脑前动脉8例,小脑后下动脉4例,大脑后动脉3例.囊性动脉瘤9例,夹层动脉瘤7例,假性动脉瘤1例.所有动脉瘤均为小动脉瘤,2例梭形夹层动脉瘤缺乏明确瘤颈,15例为窄颈,其中5例体-颈比≤2,10例体-颈比＞2.结果 血管内介入治疗技术成功率为100％.术后即刻,11例弹簧圈栓塞患者中7例囊状动脉瘤完全闭塞,1例囊状动脉瘤和2例夹层囊状动脉瘤不全闭塞,1例夹层囊状动脉瘤瘤颈残留;6例动脉瘤和载瘤动脉同时栓塞患者中5例完全闭塞,1例不全闭塞、载瘤动脉部分闭塞.术后3例出现神经功能缺损,其他患者无新发神经功能缺损.出院时改良Rankin量表(mRS)评分为0分14例,2分1例,4分2例.术后6～9个月血管造影和临床随访显示,11例弹簧圈栓塞患者中7例动脉瘤仍保持完全闭塞,3例不全闭塞,1例瘤颈残留患者复发;6例动脉瘤和载瘤动脉同时栓塞患者中5例动脉瘤仍保持完全闭塞,1例载瘤动脉再通.末次随访显示14例保持mRS评分0分,1例保持4分不变,2例mRS评分有明显改善.结论 对于外科手术治疗较困难的周围型颅内动脉瘤,血管内介入治疗是一种安全有效的治疗方法.选择何种血管内介入治疗策略取决于动脉瘤部位、性质、形态、血管入路迂曲程度和载瘤动脉供血区功能重要程度.     

颅内自膨胀支架结合弹簧圈治疗脑动脉瘤

目的　报道采用自膨胀颅内专用支架 (Neuroform支架 )结合弹簧圈栓塞治疗颅内宽颈动脉瘤 ,初步探讨该支架的特点、短期疗效及应用前景。方法　采用Neuroform支架结合弹簧圈栓塞治疗 32例 34枚颅内宽颈动脉瘤。颈内动脉海绵窦段 3例 ,眼动脉 3例 ,后交通动脉 8例 ,前交通动脉 3例 ,大脑中动脉分叉部 5例 ,椎动脉 6例 ,基底动脉顶端 1例 ,基底动脉干 2例 ,大脑前动脉A3段 1例 ,多发动脉瘤 2例。通过Renegade微导管释放Neuroform支架覆盖动脉瘤瘤颈 ,预先将另一微导管置入动脉瘤腔或将微导管通过支架网孔以弹簧圈栓塞动脉瘤。结果　 31例 34个支架成功到位释放 ,1例基底动脉顶端动脉瘤因支架无法通过狭窄的大脑后动脉而改用BX支架。 3例 1次各置入 2枚支架。 2 4例致密栓塞 ,6例瘤颈残留 ,2例部分栓塞。 1例术中发生支架内血栓 ,死亡 1例 ,其余患者均恢复良好出院。临床随访 30例 ,随访期 1～ 6个月 ,平均 4 .7个月 ,无再出血及血栓栓塞症状发生。 1 1例术后 3个月血管造影随访 :7例致密栓塞的动脉瘤均未显影 ;4例瘤颈残留者 ,2例无变化 ;2例原有瘤颈残留未再显影。结论　Neuroform支架技术上容易操控 ,顺应性好 ,安全性高 ,可以到达颅内较远端的血管 ,大大扩展了支架技术治疗颅内血管病变的应用范围 ,近期     

Neuroform3支架在急诊血管内栓塞破裂性颅内宽颈动脉瘤中的应用

目的 评价急诊血管内Neuroform3支架辅助下可解脱弹簧圈栓塞破裂的颅内宽颈动脉瘤的疗效和中期随访.方法 回顾性分析最近18个月急诊介入栓塞治疗的破裂出血性颅内动脉瘤48例,其中26例在72 h内实施Neuroform3支架辅助下弹簧圈栓塞术.其中3例动脉瘤位于大脑前动脉A1段,3例位于大脑中动脉M1和M2段,13例位于后交通,2例位于颈内动脉眼动脉段,2例位于基底动脉顶端,2例位于椎动脉V2和V4段,1例位于小脑后下动脉;3例在第1枚弹簧圈释放后植入支架,1例在第2枚弹簧圈释放后植入支架,2例在第4枚弹簧圈释放后植入支架,10例在第1枚弹簧圈无法在瘤腔内成篮后植入支架,其余10例先植入支架再进行弹簧圈栓塞,所有微导管均通过支架网眼进入动脉瘤.结果 所有病例均成功释放支架(100%),覆盖了瘤颈,同期行弹簧圈填塞动脉瘤.术后即刻造影显示动脉瘤完全栓塞23例(88.5%),次全栓塞3例(11.5%);术中1例支架轻度回撤,无血栓事件和动脉瘤再破裂出血发生,所有患者均恢复良好出院.栓塞术后随访到23例,至少复查1次脑血管造影,最多复查3次;完全致密栓塞14例(60.8%)动脉瘤均末显影,6例瘤颈少许显影病例中3例(11.5%)存在血栓形成,次全栓塞1例(3.3%)瘤体再通,另外2例始终稳定,所有病例载瘤动脉通畅,狭窄2例(7.7%),临床上无任何症状,术后所有患者均无再出血.结论 急症血管内应用Neuroform3支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞破裂出血的颅内宽颈动脉瘤足方便的、安全的和有效的.     

介入栓塞基底动脉顶端动脉瘤临床治疗策略

目的 分析和总结后循环基底动脉顶端动脉瘤介入栓塞治疗的安全性和有效性.方法 回顾性分析2008年11月至2015年3月介入栓塞治疗21例基底动脉顶端动脉瘤患者临床资料.术前均经DSA检查证实为基底动脉顶端动脉瘤,Hunt-Hess动脉瘤临床分级0～Ⅱ级12例,Ⅲ～Ⅳ级9例.单纯弹簧圈栓塞16例,支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞5例.结果 17例完全致密栓塞(100％栓塞),4例接近完全栓塞(95％栓塞),术中无动脉瘤破裂.根据Glasgow预后量表(GOS)评分,术前15分、13～14分、9～12分、3～8分者分别为9例、3例、2例、7例,术后15分、13～14分、3～8分者分别为13例、5例、3例.18例患者术后随访6～48个月,15例无复发,2例于术后6个月,1例于术后12个月复发.全部患者均无再出血.结论 介入栓塞术是治疗基底动脉顶端动脉瘤的安全有效方法.     

颅内宽颈动脉瘤的血管内介入治疗

目的：探讨血管内支架结合电解可脱卸弹簧圈（GDC）治疗颅内宽颈动脉瘤的疗效、治疗护理要点、安全性及并发症的防治。方法：对明确诊断为颅内宽颈动脉瘤的20例患者行血管内支架结合电解可脱卸弹簧圈介入治疗。动脉瘤位置：前交通动脉瘤8例。后交通动脉瘤4例,颈内动脉海绵窦段动脉瘤3例．大脑中动脉瘤2例．基底动脉瘤2例．颈内动脉海绵窦段合并前交通动脉瘤1例。结果：20例患者均成功释放支架,患者全部治愈出院。其中17例致密栓塞。3例大部填塞。血管造影检查：动脉瘤不显影,载瘤动脉及邻近主要血管分支通畅．均无再出血或血栓栓塞等相关并发症。结论：血管内支架结合弹簧圈是治疗颅内宽颈动脉瘤安全、有效的方法．短期治疗效果肯定,正确的围手术期处理,可以提高手术的成功率,减少并发症。     

低剖面可视化腔内支撑装置双支架技术治疗基底动脉顶端宽颈动脉瘤3例

【摘要】 目的 探讨低剖面可视化腔内支撑装置（LVIS）双支架技术在治疗基底动脉顶端宽颈动脉瘤中的初步临床应用及疗效。 方法 对3例基底动脉顶端宽颈动脉瘤患者进行LVIS双支架平行技术辅助弹簧圈栓塞治疗。 结果 3例患者均取得成功，术后即刻均显示动脉瘤致密栓塞。患者1、3分别于术后7个月、6个月随访，复查造影分别显示为瘤颈复发、瘤体复发，其中瘤体复发患者再次栓塞后达到致密栓塞；患者2术后6个月电话随访结果显示，改良Rankin 量表（mRS）评分 2分，较出院时明显好转。结论 LVIS双支架技术治疗基底动脉顶端宽颈动脉瘤安全有效，中远期疗效有待进一步研究，可能与双支架排列方式有关。     

微弹簧圈血管内介入治疗颅内动脉瘤

目的总结颅内动脉瘤血管内介入治疗的经验,探讨微弹簧圈栓塞颅内动脉瘤的技巧、效果及相关并发症的防治。方法回顾性分析我院介入治疗颅内动脉瘤31例,32个动脉瘤的临床资料,其中单纯用弹簧圈栓塞25例,宽颈动脉瘤球囊辅助弹簧圈栓塞4例,支架结合弹簧圈栓塞1例,载瘤动脉闭塞1例。结果栓塞程度:致密栓塞27例,疏松栓塞3例,闭塞载瘤动脉1例;术中动脉瘤破裂3例,术后完全康复22例,不同程度神经功能障碍8例,死亡1例。结论电解脱弹簧圈栓塞颅内动脉瘤,具有微创、安全、效果可靠等优点。选择合适的技术和方法,对提高栓塞率,减少并发症具有重要的意义。     

Successful thrombolysis in the vertebrobasilar artery after endovascular occlusion of a recently ruptured large basilar tip aneurysm.

The treatment of a patient who had iatrogenic basilar artery thrombosis after endovascular occlusion of a recently ruptured wide-necked basilar apex aneurysm with a nondetachable silicone balloon is described. The rationale for the choice of a nondetachable balloon, the need for anticoagulation in the postoperative period, the timing of thrombolysis, and the choice of thrombolytic agents are discussed.     

Guglielmi detachable coil treatment of ruptured saccular cerebral aneurysms: retrospective review of a 10-year single-center experience

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We retrospectively analyzed our results with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs) for the endovascular occlusion of acutely ruptured saccular cerebral aneurysms over 10 years. METHODS: Between 1991-2000, 83 patients (mean age, 56.1 years) with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were treated with endovascular GDCs. Patients with aneurysms due to trauma or dissection and those with mycotic or fusiform aneurysms were excluded. Mean follow-up in survivors was 19.1 months, and the mean Hunt-Hess grade at admission was 2.2. Angiographic follow-up was performed in 93% of surviving patients (mean interval, 11.6 months). The basilar caput (34 patients) and anterior communicating artery complex (19 patients) were most commonly treated. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients (77%) had a Glasgow Outcome Scale score (GOS) of 4 or 5, nine (11%) had a score of 2 or 3, and 10 (12%) died. At follow-up, 24 patients (35%) had complete aneurysm occlusion, 18 (26%) had a dog-ear remnant, 24 (35%) had a residual neck, and two (3%) had residual aneurysm filling. No treated aneurysm rebled. Three patients required surgical repair after incomplete endovascular treatment. Two or more GDC occlusion procedures were required in 28 patients (34%). Major procedural complications occurred in two patients (2%), resulting in serious neurologic disability or death. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment of ruptured cerebral aneurysms with GDCs has low morbidity, and it facilitates good overall outcomes in patients after subarachnoid hemorrhage. The short-term effectiveness of GDC occlusion in preventing aneurysmal rebleeding was excellent. Durability of the treatment in preventing long-term rebleeding as compared with direct surgical clipping warrants further study. Advances in device technology and technique may improve future outcomes.     

Management and clinical outcome of acute basilar artery dissection

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There have been inconsistencies on the prognosis and controversies as to the proper management of acute basilar artery dissection. The aim of this study was to evaluate acute basilar artery dissection and its outcome after management.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 patients (mean age, 53 years; range, 24–78 years) with acute basilar artery dissection were identified between January 2001 and October 2007. Clinical presentation, management, and outcomes were retrospectively evaluated.RESULTS: The patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 10), brain stem ischemia (n = 10), or stem compression sign (n = 1). Ruptured basilar artery dissections were treated by stent placement with coiling (n = 4), single stent placement (n = 3), or conservatively (n = 3). Of the patients treated with endovascular technique, 6 had favorable outcome (modified Rankin scale [mRS], 0–2) and the remaining patient, who was treated by single stent placement, died from rebleeding. All 3 conservatively managed patients experienced rebleeding, of whom 2 died and the other was moderately disabled. Unruptured basilar artery dissections were treated conservatively (n = 7) or by stent placement (n = 4). Of the patients with unruptured basilar artery dissection, 9 had favorable outcome and the remaining 2 patients, both of whom were conservatively managed, had poor outcome because of infarct progression. The group with the ruptured basilar artery dissection revealed a higher mortality rate than the group with the unruptured dissection (30% vs 0%). The group treated with endovascular means revealed more favorable outcome than the group that was treated with conservative measures (90.9% vs 50%).CONCLUSION: The ruptured basilar artery dissections were at high risk for rebleeding, resulting in a grave outcome. Stent placement with or without coiling may be considered to prevent rebleeding in ruptured basilar dissections and judiciously considered in unruptured dissections with signs of progressive brain stem ischemia.

Acute basilar artery dissections are rare lesions with significant morbidity and mortality rates. However, recent advances in imaging techniques have increased the recognition of basilar artery dissection. There have been inconsistencies on the prognosis and controversies as to the proper management of acute basilar artery dissection.^1-4 Although conservative management has been advocated by some authors,¹ the serious nature of the disease might require surgical or endovascular treatment in selected cases that were ruptured or revealed progressive ischemic symptoms,^2-4 Besides 2 small clinical series^1,2 and a few case reports, clinical features, possible treatment options, and clinical outcome of acute basilar artery dissection have rarely been analyzed. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated clinical presentation, management, clinical course, and outcomes of 21 consecutive patients with acute basilar artery dissection.     

Horizontal Neuroform stent deployment for a ruptured basilar terminus aneurysm via the posterior communicating artery

The authors describe the endovascular management of a ruptured wide-necked basilar terminus aneurysm with stent-assisted coil technique via posterior communicating collateral vessels from the anterior cerebral circulation. A Neuroform stent was placed horizontally across the neck of the aneurysm with use of the patient's large, patent, posterior communicating artery. This approach allowed for complete endovascular treatment in the setting of acute subarachnoid hemorrhage.     

Coiling of very large and giant basilar tip aneurysms: midterm clinical and angiographic results

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report the midterm clinical and angiographic results of coiling of very large (>15 mm) and giant basilar tip aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1995 and October 2005, 44 very large and giant basilar tip aneurysms in 44 patients were coiled. There were 13 men (30%) and 31 women (70%) with a mean age of 51.4 years (median, 51 years; range, 34-72 years). Mean aneurysm size was 19.6 mm (range, 15-30 mm). Of 44 aneurysms, 33 (75%) had ruptured. Of 11 unruptured basilar tip aneurysms, 7 were incidentally discovered, 1 was additional to another ruptured aneurysm, and 3 were symptomatic by mass effect. RESULTS: Procedural mortality was 2/44 (4.6%, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.4%-16%) and morbidity 1/44 (2.3%, 95% CI, 0.01%-13%). Of 33 patients with ruptured aneurysms, mean clinical follow-up was 5.2 years (range, 0.5-11.5 years). Two patients had a rebleeding from the coiled basilar tip aneurysm leading to death in 1 patient and to dependency in the other patient (annual rebleeding rate, 1.1%) One other patient died 2 years later of progressive brain stem compression. Mean angiographic follow-up in 41 of 42 surviving patients was 3.1 years. Nineteen aneurysms reopened and were coiled for a second time. Of these, 9 repeatedly reopened with time and were repeatedly coiled up to 6 times. Additional treatments were without complications. CONCLUSION: Coiling of very large and giant basilar tip aneurysms is associated with reasonably low morbidity. Although additional treatment during follow-up is frequently necessary, rebleeding is uncommon.     

Procedure-related haemorrhage in embolisation of intracranial aneurysms with Guglielmi detachable coils

We reviewed the haemorrhagic complications of the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms, in terms of frequency, pre-embolisation clinical status, clinical and radiological manifestations, management and prognosis. In 275 patients treated for 303 aneurysms over 7 years we had seven (one man and six women—2.3%) with haemorrhage during or immediately after endovascular treatment. All procedures were performed with a standardised protocol of heparinisation and anaesthesia. Four had ruptured aneurysms, two at the tip of the basilar artery, and one ach on the internal carotid and posterior cerebral artery, treated after 12, 5, 14, and 2 days, respectively, three were in Hunt and Hess grade 2 and one in grade 1. Bleeding occurred during coiling in three, after placement of at least four coils, and during manipulation of the guidewire to enter the aneurysm in the fourth. Haemorrhage was manifest as extravasation of contrast medium, with a sudden rise in systolic blood pressure in three patients. The other three patients had unruptured aneurysms; they had stable blood pressure and angiographic findings during the procedure, but one, under sedation, had seizures immediately after insertion of four coils, and the other two had seizures, headache and vomiting on the day following the procedure. Heparin reversal with protamine sulphate was started promptly started when bleeding was detected in four patients, and the embolisation was completed with additional coils in three. Emergency ventricular drainage was performed in the two patients with ruptured aneurysm and one with an unruptured aneurysm who had abnormal neurological responses or hydrocephalus. The bleeding caused a third nerve palsy in one patient, which might have been due to ischaemia and progressively improved.     

Treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms: implications of the ISAT on clipping versus coiling

Patients with a ruptured intracranial aneurysm should be treated as soon as possible after the haemorrhage to prevent rebleeding and to allow vigorous treatment of ischemic events in case of vasospasm. The choice of treatment, endovascular or surgical, should be based on the angio-architectural aspects of the aneurysm. 3D rotational subtraction angiography will more clearly show the aneurysm morphology and will therefore help in the decision-making process. If an aneurysm is suitable for endovascular treatment ('coiling'), this should be the treatment of first choice, as has been clarified in the ISAT study. Location of the aneurysm only influences the treatment decision in aneurysms located at the basilar artery bifurcation. These aneurysms are preferably treated by endovascular means. The long-term results of endovascular and surgical treatment are still the subject of debate. For both treatment modalities, re-growth of the treated aneurysm has been described, but solid comparative data is missing. In analogy with the ISAT, referral of patients with a ruptured intracranial aneurysm should be performed as soon as possible after the haemorrhage. Preferably, this should be a hospital where neurosurgeons, interventional neuroradiologists, as well as neurologists (with expertise on medical treatment of patients with a subarachnoid haemorrhage) collaborate.     

Large Basilar Apex Aneurysms Treated with Flow-Diverter Stents

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:The treatment of wide-neck, large basilar apex aneurysms is challenging with either an endovascular or a surgical approach. The aim of the present study was to report our experience treating basilar apex aneurysms with flow-diverter stents and to evaluate their efficacy and safety profile in this specific anatomic condition.MATERIALS AND METHODS:We retrospectively analyzed data from all consecutive patients treated with flow-diverter stents at our institution between January 2011 and January 2015. Patients with large basilar apex aneurysms treated with a flow-diverter stent were included in the study. Clinical presentations, technical details, intra- and perioperative complications, and clinical and angiographic outcomes were recorded, with a midterm follow-up.RESULTS:Of the 175 aneurysms treated with flow-diverter stents at our institution, 5 patients (2 women and 3 men; age range, 44–58 years) received flow-diverter stent for basilar apex aneurysms. The mean follow-up after stent deployment was 21 months (range, 15–24 months). One patient died on day 31 from an early postprocedural midbrain hemorrhage. One patient had a right cerebellar hemispheric ischemic lesion with a transient cerebellar syndrome resolved within 24 hours without neurologic sequelae at the latest follow-up. The mRS was 0 in 4 patients and 6 in 1 patient at last follow-up.CONCLUSIONS:Flow diversion is a feasible technique with an efficacy demonstrated at a midterm follow-up, especially in the case of basilar apex aneurysm recurrences after previous endovascular treatments. Concern about its safety profile still exists.

Wide-neck, large basilar apex aneurysms (BAA) are rare lesions that account for approximately 7%–8% of all intracranial aneurysms.^1,2 Their treatment is challenging when using either endovascular or surgical approaches.^3,4The endovascular approach is considered the “gold standard” for posterior circulation intracranial aneurysms because of a lower rate of procedural complications compared with surgery.⁵ However, long-term angiographic studies of large posterior circulation aneurysms after coiling show high recurrence rates.⁶The advent of flow-diverter stents has allowed for the treatment of wide-neck, large aneurysms with promising clinical and angiographic outcomes.^7–9 Only a few articles have reported the results of the use of flow-diverter stents in posterior circulation aneurysms,^7,10,11 and concerns remain regarding their use.Large BAAs are characterized by specific issues when a flow-diverter stent is the treatment of choice. These issues are mostly related to their anatomic location and include the risk of occlusion of the posterior cerebral (PCA) and superior cerebellar arteries,¹² brain stem ischemic lesions caused by coverage of the perforator arteries,¹³ and delayed rupture of the treated aneurysm.¹⁴The aim of this study was to report midterm follow-up results after the treatment of wide-neck, large BAAs with flow-diverter stents. We describe our experience in terms of the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the procedure in this specific anatomic condition.     

A novel endovascular treatment of a wide-necked basilar apex aneurysm by using a Y-configuration, double-stent technique

Wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms remain a formidable challenge to the neuroendovascular surgeon. A 36-year-old woman with a wide-necked basilar bifurcation aneurysm was unsuccessfully treated by endovascular methods, despite the use of the balloon-remodeling technique. Successful coiling was ultimately achieved by use of a Y-configuration double stent-assisted technique. This novel method of using self-expanding stents may represent a significant advance in the management of basilar apex and other bifurcation aneurysms.     

Aneurysms of the vertebrobasilar junction: incidence, clinical presentation, and outcome of endovascular treatment

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to report the incidence, clinical presentation, and midterm clinical and imaging results of endovascular treatment of 10 aneurysms of the vertebrobasilar junction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1995 and January 2007, 2112 aneurysms were treated in our institution. Ten aneurysms in 10 patients were located on the vertebrobasilar junction and 7 aneurysms (70%) were associated with proximal basilar fenestration. There were 5 men and 5 women, ranging from 29 to 75 years of age. Nine aneurysms presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage, and one was a giant partially thrombosed aneurysm with mass effect on the brain stem. RESULTS: Nine ruptured aneurysms were treated by primary coil occlusion. One giant unruptured aneurysm was initially treated with bilateral vertebral artery occlusion, 2 months later followed by selective coil occlusion of the remaining aneurysm lumen via the posterior communicating artery. At imaging follow-up of 6-30 months in 7 patients, all aneurysms were adequately occluded. In 2 patients, the vertebrobasilar junction and distal vertebral arteries (including the aneurysm) thrombosed completely on follow-up without clinical sequelae. CONCLUSION: Vertebrobasilar junction aneurysms are rare, with an incidence of 0.5% of treated aneurysms at our institution. Vertebrobasilar junction aneurysms are frequently associated with proximal basilar fenestration. Most patients present with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Endovascular treatment is effective and safe in excluding the aneurysms from the circulation.