NeuroformⅡ支架联合MatrixⅡ弹簧圈治疗颅内宽颈动脉瘤的初步经验

目的探讨NeuroformⅡ支架植入联合MatrixⅡ弹簧圈栓塞治疗颅内宽颈动脉瘤的疗效、技术要点、安全性及并发症防治。方法诊断为颅内宽颈动脉瘤的病人11例,其中大脑前动脉瘤2例,后交通动脉瘤4例,眼动脉瘤1例,大脑中动脉瘤2例,椎基底动脉瘤2例。7例先行NeuroformⅡ支架瘤颈成形,将微导管通过支架网眼置入动脉瘤内,填塞弹簧圈;4例先置入微导管于动脉瘤内,再释放支架后栓塞,术后3~6个月随访。结果所有病例栓塞操作均顺利完成,无手术并发症;其中致密填塞8例,部分致密填塞3例,术后病人均恢复良好,4例短期随访无再出血及血栓栓塞症状发生。结论NeuroformⅡ支架联合MatrixⅡ弹簧圈治疗颅内宽颈动脉瘤安全、有效。     

闭环支架半释放技术在颅内宽颈动脉瘤血管内介入治疗中的应用

目的 探讨闭环支架半释放技术在弹簧圈栓塞颅内宽颈动脉瘤治疗中的安全性和有效性。方法 回顾性分析2019年12月～2021年1月采用闭环支架半释放技术辅助弹簧圈栓塞治疗37例颅内宽颈动脉瘤的临床和影像学资料。共40个动脉瘤，其中破裂动脉瘤21个，未破裂19个。结果 16个动脉瘤使用LVIS支架，24个动脉瘤使用Enterprise或Enterprise2支架。技术成功率100%(40/40)。术中支架内血栓形成发生率8.1%(3/37)。术后即刻DSA显示RaymondⅠ级32个，Ⅱ级5个，Ⅲ级3个。出院时改良Rankin量表(modified Rankin Scale, mRS)评分0分32例，1分2例，2分3例。37例随访时间6～19个月，平均9.6月。出院后3个月mRS 0分33例，1分2例，2分2例。末次DSA显示RaymondⅠ级31个，Ⅱ级6个，Ⅲ级3个。31个动脉瘤治愈，7个动脉瘤稳定，2个动脉瘤复发。结论 闭环支架半释放技术在颅内宽颈动脉瘤的血管内介入治疗中安全有效。     

低剖面可视化腔内支撑装置(LVIS支架)辅助栓塞治疗颅内宽颈动脉瘤

目的探讨在颅内宽颈动脉瘤的血管内治疗中应用低剖面可视化腔内支撑装置(Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support,LVIS)的安全性和有效性。方法回顾性分析2015年12月～2017年8月25例颅内宽颈动脉瘤资料,其中14例为急性蛛网膜下腔出血。所有动脉瘤颈4 mm或瘤颈体比1/2。根据动脉瘤的瘤颈及载瘤动脉管径选择不同规格的LVIS支架,使用半释放技术释放支架。结果 25例颅内动脉瘤置入26枚支架(1例椎动脉夹层动脉瘤释放2枚),均成功释放。术后即时血管造影RaymondⅠ级23例,Ⅱ级1例,Ⅲ级1例,出院时及1个月电话随访均恢复良好,格拉斯哥结局量表(Glasgow Outcome Scale,GOS)5分。17例半年后复查脑血管造影,均无动脉瘤显影。结论对颅内宽颈动脉瘤,采用LVIS支架辅助栓塞治疗,效果明确,安全可靠。     

经皮血管内支架成形术在颅内血管疾病的初步应用

目的：探讨支架置入技术在治疗颅内血管疾病中的应用价值。方法：回顾性分析了13例成功置入支架的手术经验,探讨颅内支架置入的适应证、技术可行性及并发症的预防。13例颅内血管病变包括有症状的颅内血管狭窄患者7例,其中大脑中动脉狭窄3例,颈内动脉床突上段狭窄1例,椎动脉颅内段狭窄3例;颅内宽颈动脉瘤5例,包括1例基底动脉起始段宽颈动脉瘤,2例海绵窦段巨大宽颈动脉瘤以及2例颈动脉-海绵窦瘘栓塞后海绵窦段宽颈假性动脉瘤;静脉窦狭窄1例。结果：7例有症状的颅骨血管狭窄患者在支架置入后狭窄血管明显扩张,从原来平均狭窄83％下降到5％,其中1例出现了与技术有关的并发症。5例宽颈动脉瘤患者（包括2例假性动脉瘤）通过支架辅助成功地达到了囊内栓塞。横窦狭窄患者在其一侧置入支架后,颅内压力明显下降,临床症状减轻,8个月后随访症状完全消失。结论：支架置入血管内成形技术,可以成功地应用于颅内血管疾病的治疗,但对于适应证的选择和长期的疗效有待于进一步的观察确定。     

支架植入术联合弹簧圈栓塞治疗颅内复杂动脉瘤

目的探讨应用新型颅内支架植入联合弹簧圈栓塞术治疗颅内复杂动脉瘤的疗效。方法对26例30个颅内复杂动脉瘤行支架植入术弹簧圈栓塞术,术后6～24个月进行随访。结果术后即刻疗效：24个复杂动脉瘤完全栓塞,4个次全栓塞（栓塞95%以上）,2个不完全栓塞;所有支架位置满意,载瘤动脉通畅。随访2例动脉瘤复发,未见支架移位、塌陷、狭窄,载瘤动脉通畅、光滑。结论颅内支架植入联合弹簧圈栓塞术治疗颅内复杂动脉瘤安全有效;应根据动脉瘤的具体情况来选择具体技术。     

支架及球囊辅助治疗颅内宽颈动脉瘤

目的探讨支架和球囊辅助技术在颅内宽颈动脉瘤栓塞治疗的应用体会。方法采用支架和球囊辅助瘤颈成形术对87例患者92个颅内宽颈动脉瘤进行栓塞治疗。支架辅助技术为首先选择合适的Neuroform支架跨动脉瘤颈释放,长度超出瘤颈近、远端各5mm,微导管通过支架上的网孔进入动脉瘤,一期或分期完成电解可脱性弹簧圈（GDC）栓塞。球囊辅助技术采用双导管,微导管送入动脉瘤内后,不可脱球囊置于瘤颈,充盈以覆盖瘤颈,再行GDC填塞动脉瘤。结果支架辅助栓塞完全填塞的动脉瘤31个,次全填塞（〉90％）3个,大部填塞（70％～90％）1个,载瘤动脉均保持通畅,无死亡,轻度神经功能障碍3例;球囊辅助栓塞完全填塞50个,次全填塞4个,无死亡,轻度神经功能障碍1例;同时采用支架和球囊辅助栓塞完全填塞的动脉瘤2个,次全填塞1个,无死亡。平均随访5．8个月,其中支架辅助栓塞再通率16．7％,球囊辅助栓塞再通率12．5％。结论支架及球囊辅助技术是处理颅内宽颈动脉瘤安全、有效的方法。采用球囊保护栓塞技术较支架辅助技术具有更大的安全性。     

密网孔支架对脑动脉瘤内流体力学的影响

血管内栓塞治疗已成为颅内动脉瘤治疗的一种重要方法[1].血管内支架已被用于辅助复杂动脉瘤的栓塞治疗,并且发挥改变血流动力学的作用[2].本研究旨在设计密网孔支架并模拟支架置入载瘤动脉以覆盖瘤颈,研究该支架置入对宽颈及窄颈动脉瘤内血流动力学变化的影响.     

Neuroform Atlas支架在颅内动脉分叉处宽颈动脉瘤栓塞中的应用体会

目的 探讨Neuroform Atlas支架在颅内动脉分叉处宽颈动脉瘤栓塞中的价值。方法 回顾性分析2021年1～9月16例采用Neuroform Atlas支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞治疗颅内动脉分叉处宽颈动脉瘤的临床和影像学资料。动脉瘤位于大脑中动脉分叉处8例，大脑前动脉分叉处4例，大脑前、中动脉分叉处2例，大脑前动脉A2远端分叉处1例，大脑后动脉P2分叉处1例。破裂动脉瘤10例(术前Hunt-Hess分级Ⅰ级6例，Ⅱ级2例，Ⅲ级2例),未破裂动脉瘤6例。结果 均在单一Neuroform Atlas支架辅助下完成栓塞，技术成功率100%。术后即刻造影显示动脉瘤完全闭塞13例，瘤颈残留2例，瘤体残留1例。术中及围手术期未观察到介入操作相关并发症。出院前改良Rankin量表(mRS)0～1分11例，2分3例，3分2例。16例随访时间3～14个月，(7.8±3.2)月。mRS评分0～1分14例，2分1例，3分1例。9例术后3～6个月行DSA,动脉瘤完全闭塞8例，瘤颈残留1例，9例均未见载瘤动脉狭窄或支架内闭塞。结论 Neuroform Atlas支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞治疗颅内动脉分叉处宽颈动脉瘤安全，...     

Lvis支架与Enterprise支架辅助栓塞颅内宽颈动脉瘤的比较

目的比较Lvis支架和Enterprise支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞颅内宽颈动脉瘤的安全性和有效性。方法回顾性比较Lvis或Enterprise支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞颅内宽颈动脉瘤212例(214个动脉瘤),其中Lvis组88例(90个动脉瘤),Enterprise组124例(124个动脉瘤),比较2组动脉瘤栓塞即刻及随访时栓塞程度Raymond分级、围术期并发症、mRS评分。结果 Lvis组置入支架90个,Enterprise组124个。术后即刻DSA:Lvis组RaymondⅠ级77.3%(68/88),Ⅱ级13.6%(12/88),Ⅲ级9.1%(8/88);Enterprise组RaymondⅠ级75.8%(94/124),Ⅱ级15.3%(19/124),Ⅲ级8.9%(11/124),2组比较差异无显著性(Z=-0.214,P=0.830)。术后随访复查DSA:Lvis组RaymondⅠ级90.4%(76/84),Ⅱ级4.8%(4/84),Ⅲ级2.4%(2/84),2例术后6个月复发;Enterprise组RaymondⅠ级72.8%(86/118),Ⅱ级15.3%(18/118),Ⅲ级8.5%(10/118),4例术后6个月复发,2组比较差异有显著性(Z=-3.312,P=0.002)。围手术期支架相关并发症发生率Lvis组11.4%(10/88),与Enterprise组5.6%(7/124)比较无统计学差异(χ~2=2.282,P=0.131)。2组术后6个月mRS评分0～2分Lvis组85.2%(75/88),Enterprise组78.2%(97/124),2组比较差异无显著性(Z=-1.145,P=0.252)。结论 Lvis支架和Enterprise支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞治疗颅内宽颈动脉瘤安全、有效。     

血管内介入治疗椎动脉夹层动脉瘤的临床研究

目的 探讨血管内介入治疗椎动脉夹层动脉瘤的安全性与有效性.方法 回顾性分析30例患者30个夹层动脉瘤行血管内介入治疗的临床资料,其中8例单纯弹簧圈栓塞,10例支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞,3例单支架置入,9例载瘤动脉闭塞.结果 术后对30例中的22例进行随访脑血管造影,随访时间为1～8个月,平均6个月.其中17例完全栓塞患者无复发;近完全栓塞3例中2例动脉瘤稍增大,部分栓塞2例动脉瘤复发,这4例患者均行二次手术,其中3例行支架置入,1例行动脉瘤栓塞.结论 血管内介入治疗椎动脉夹层动脉瘤是一种安全有效的方法.     

Endovascular occlusion of wide-necked aneurysms with a new intracranial microstent (Neuroform) and detachable coils

OBJECTIVE: The long-term durability of the endovascular occlusion of cerebral aneurysms is one of the major factors limiting the more widespread use of this technique. Long-term occlusion of wide-necked aneurysms has improved with new assistive devices that seem to improve aneurysm occlusion while protecting the parent vessel. We report the use of a new intracranial stent--the Neuroform microstent--in the treatment of patients with wide-necked cerebral aneurysms. METHODS: Patients identified as harboring wide-necked intracranial aneurysms were evaluated for stent-assisted coiling. After appropriate anticoagulation was performed, depending on whether the aneurysm was ruptured or unruptured, the Neuroform stent was delivered across the neck of the aneurysm and deployed with a coil pusher. After stent placement, standard coil occlusion of the aneurysm was achieved in the majority of cases. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were identified as having wide-necked intracranial aneurysms suitable for stent-assisted coiling. A total of 49 aneurysms in 48 patients were treated with this procedure. In eight cases, stent deployment failed. Forty-one of the aneurysms were initially stented, followed by coil placement. Six aneurysms were stented only, and one aneurysm was initially coiled, followed by stent placement. There were five deaths (8.9%), one of which occurred secondary to a stroke after the procedure (1.8%). Four patients (7%) experienced thromboembolic events, three of which were considered to have been secondary to the procedure (5.3%). In addition, there were two femoral pseudoaneurysms. The overall complication rate was 10.7%. Five patients were available for follow-up angiographic evaluation, and their cases are discussed. CONCLUSION: Intracranial stenting may overcome important technical limitations in current endovascular therapy by improving the occlusion of wide-necked aneurysms while protecting the parent vessel.     

Single-center experience with the Neuroform stent for endovascular treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms

Background

Stent-assisted coiling is an accepted endovascular treatment (EVT) for wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. The Neuroform stent (Target Therapeutics, Fremont, Calif) is a flexible nitinol self-expandable stent that was designed to potentially overcome the limitations of balloon expandable coronary stents in the intracranial circulation. The aim of this study was to reenforce the use of this stent for EVT of wide-necked cerebral aneurysms.

Methods

Between March 2005 and March 2008, 24 patients harboring wide-necked cerebral aneurysms were treated with stent reconstruction of the aneurysm neck. Inclusion criteria restricted the group to adult patients with wide-necked intracranial aneurysms (ruptured and unruptured lesions). Immediate postprocedure angiography studies were performed to determine successful coil occlusion of the aneurysm as well as patency of the parent vessel. We assessed the clinical history, aneurysm dimensions, and technical detail of the procedures, including any difficulties with stent placement and deployment, degree of aneurysm occlusion, and complications. Clinical outcome was assessed with the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS).

Results

The stent was easily navigated and precisely positioned in 24 of 26 cases. However, technical difficulties occurred in 9 patients, including difficulties in crossing the stents interstice in 6 cases, inadvertent stent delivery (n = 1), and incapacity of stent delivery (n = 1) and incapacity of crossing the neck (n = 1). These latter 2 cases were classified as failures of the stent-assisted technique. A single procedural complication occurred, involving transient nonocclusive intrastent thrombus formation, which was treated uneventfully with abciximab. Seventeen patients experienced excellent clinical outcomes (GOS 5), with good outcomes (GOS 4) in 5 patients and a poor outcome (GOS 3) in 2 patients. There were no treatment-related deaths or neurologic complications (mean clinical follow-up, 12 months). Angiographic results consisted of 17 complete occlusions, 4 neck remnants, and 3 incomplete occlusions.

Conclusions

The Neuroform stent is very useful for EVT of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms because it is easy to navigate and to deploy accurately. In most cases, the stent can be deployed precisely, even in very tortuous carotid siphons. Although in some cases delivery and deployment was challenging, clinically significant complications were not observed.     

颅内分叉部动脉瘤复发后行支架辅助栓塞再治疗的临床效果

目的探讨初次行单纯弹簧圈栓塞或开颅夹闭术治疗后复发的颅内分叉部动脉瘤患者行支架辅助栓塞再治疗的可行性及有效性。方法回顾性分析2009年3月至2019年11月复旦大学附属华山医院放射科介入组收治的初次行单纯弹簧圈栓塞或开颅夹闭术治疗后复发并接受支架辅助栓塞再治疗的20例颅内分叉部动脉瘤患者的临床资料。男性9例,女性11例,中位年龄55.5岁(范围:33~71岁);首次治疗行单纯弹簧圈栓塞17例、开颅夹闭术3例;复发后15例行单支架辅助栓塞治疗,5例行Y形双支架辅助栓塞治疗。收集患者围手术期情况、术后并发症及预后情况。采用Mann-Whitney U检验对患者初次及再次治疗后的随访时间进行比较;采用t检验对再次治疗前、术后即刻及末次随访时近端载瘤动脉主干与支架侧分支的夹角大小进行比较。结果20例患者中,18例(90.0%)患者术后即刻脑血管造影示致密栓塞(RaymondⅠ型),2例(10.0%)示瘤颈少许残余(RaymondⅡ型),术后随访[M(QR)]8.5(16.3)个月,与初次治疗后随访时间的15.5(27.0)个月相比,差异无统计学意义(U=157.7,P=0.25)。随访期间2例患者复发,均为术后即刻瘤颈少许残余病例,其中1例为Y形双支架辅助栓塞病例。围手术期发生症状性缺血6例,其中4例为Y形双支架辅助栓塞病例;未发生围手术期出血等并发症,无手术相关的永久性致残及死亡病例。术后即刻和末次随访时载瘤动脉主干与支架所在分支成角分别为(115.4±28.9)°和(132.6±26.8)°,均较术前的(90.1±21.1)°明显增大(t=5.14,P<0.01;t=7.78,P<0.01)。结论初次弹簧圈栓塞或开颅夹闭术后复发的颅内分叉动脉瘤患者再次接受支架辅助栓塞是可行的,动脉瘤再复发率较低。     

Stent-assisted Gugliemi detachable coil repair of wide-necked renal artery aneurysm using 3-D angiography

PURPOSE: To report a wide-necked renal artery aneurysm treated successfully with stent-assisted Gugliemi detachable coil occlusion, assisted by three-dimensional (3-D) angiography. CASE REPORT: A 56-year-old woman with history of hypertension presented with a 2.5-cm wide-necked saccular aneurysm involving her distal right renal artery. A balloon-expandable stent was positioned across the neck of the aneurysm and multiple Gugliemi detachable coils were deployed through a microcatheter inserted through the interstices of the stent into the aneurysm sac, guided by 3-D angiography. Follow-up 3-D angiography at 6 months revealed a patent renal artery with continued exclusion of the aneurysm and preservation of renal blood flow. CONCLUSION: Stent-assisted coil occlusion assisted by 3-D angiography is a potential renal-sparing endovascular approach to treating wide-necked renal artery aneurysms with complex vascular anatomy.     

Balloon-expandable stenting with and without coiling for wide-neck and complex aneurysms

BACKGROUND: Wide-necked, saccular, dissecting, and fusiform intracranial aneurysms are poor coil retainers. Retention can be improved by parent-artery stenting across the aneurysm. METHODS: We used a balloon-expandable stent and delivery system, intending to treat 38 aneurysms in 36 patients. Stents could not be advanced across the neck of 2 aneurysms near the ophthalmic artery origin. These cases were managed by temporary balloon remodeling and coiling. Stenting alone was done for 15 aneurysms, including 7 in vertebral artery V4 segments. Stenting with immediate or delayed coiling was done in 21 aneurysms. RESULTS: Stenting alone caused immediate and complete obliteration of 1 treated aneurysm (7%), subtotal obliteration in 13 treated (86%) aneurysms, and was associated with 1 failure. Stenting and coiling yielded a significantly better 57% complete obliteration rate, 43% subtotal obliteration, and no failures. There were 5 complications: 1 wire perforation, 2 cavernous-carotid-sinus fistulae, and 2 partial in-stent thromboses. All were controlled or cleared with no long-term sequelae or deaths. Contrast imaging at 1 to 12 months was available for 30 patients (13 stent-only, 17 stent-plus-coiling), demonstrating complete obliteration in 25 (83%) and subtotal obliteration in 5. A total of 7 stent-only aneurysms (4 V4s) were completely obliterated, and 3 (all V4s) were > or = 90% obliterated. CONCLUSION: Stenting and coiling through the wall of the stent resulted in 88% (15/17) complete obliteration when imaged 1 to 12 months after treatment. Stenting alone effectively closed off V4-segment wide-necked aneurysms but was inferior to stenting and coiling in less mobile vessels.     

Transluminal stent-assisted coil embolization of a vertebral confluence aneurysm: technique report

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in stent technology have allowed for negotiation of often tortuous posterior circulation intracranial vasculature. Stent-assisted coil embolization is a novel treatment for complex wide-necked aneurysms, as stents provide a buttress that allows for coil deposition while preventing coil herniation into the parent vessel lumen. We describe a case of stent-assisted coil embolization of a complex wide-necked vertebral confluence aneurysm. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 61-year-old woman presented with a Hunt-Hess III, Fisher Grade III subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to a ruptured vertebral confluence aneurysm demonstrated on angiography. The patient underwent emergent angiography and attempted coiling of a vertebral confluence aneurysm. Because of the aneurysm's complex wide neck and the presence of subclavian steal syndrome, the coils repeatedly herniated into the left vertebral and basilar artery lumina. A flexible coronary stent was deployed across the aneurysm neck, preventing coil herniation and allowing for greater coil deposition. The patient tolerated the procedure and underwent repeat coiling 2 months postoperatively because of mild coil compaction. This resulted in 100% occlusion and the patient is neurologically normal except for a sixth nerve palsy which had been present after the hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Recent advances in stent technology allow negotiation of the tortuous posterior circulation vasculature. Stent-assisted coil embolization of complex, wide-necked vertebral confluence aneurysms may be an alternative intervention for these surgically challenging lesions.     

Stent-assisted coiling of an acutely ruptured large aneurysm of the internal carotid artery: case report

A 48-year-old female was referred to our hospital for the management of a ruptured 22-mm-diameter internal carotid aneurysm, located immediately distal to the ophthalmic artery. The right internal carotid artery was completely involved in the aneurysm. Because the right carotid siphon was relatively nontortuous stent-assisted coiling of the aneurysm was attempted 4 days after subarachnoid hemorrhage. A new coil-type coronary stent, a DRIVER stent, was deployed after microcatheter insertion into the aneurysm dome under systemic heparinization, followed by dome packing using Guglielmi detachable coils. Systemic heparinization was continued for 18 hours postoperatively, and aspirin (100 mg/day) was administered orally immediately after the embolization. However, 4 hours after heparin administration cessation, left hemiparesis became apparent. Immediate magnetic resonance angiography revealed a right internal carotid artery occlusion. Diffusion-weighted images demonstrated ischemic spots in the watershed zones of the right cerebral hemisphere. Following an immediate thrombolysis of the right internal carotid artery, systemic heparinization was continued for 5 days, and aspirin and ticlopidine were administrated orally. The patient was discharged on day 37, following the recovery from left hemiparesis within ten days. A DRIVER stent is a low profile coil-type coronary stent, which can be used for the stent-assisted coiling of large internal carotid aneurysms, located distal to the carotid siphon. It seems necessary to continue systemic heparinization for more than 2 days and to administer increased dose or two types of antiplatelet after the stent-assisted coiling of large cerebral aneurysms.     

Feasibility of insertion of a microcatheter through a Y-stent in coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms and its detailed geometry by micro-computed tomography

Background

In Y-stent-assisted coil embolization for cerebral aneurysms, open or closed cell stents are used. Different microcatheters for coil insertion are available. We investigated which microcatheter could be navigated into an aneurysm through a Y-stent with different stents.

Methods

Double Neuroform open-cell stents or double Enterprise closed-cell stents were deployed in Y-configuration in a silicon model of a bifurcation aneurysm. Two endovascular neurosurgeons independently tried to navigate an SL-10 microcatheter for 0.010” coils or a PX Slim microcatheter for 0.020” Penumbra coils into the aneurysm through the Y-stent. In addition, we measured lengths of stent pores of the Y-stents with double Enterprise stents deployed in the model by micro-computed tomography.

Results

It was feasible to navigate an SL-10 microcatheter into the aneurysm through the Y-stent with Enterprise or Neuroform stents. Navigation of a PX Slim microcatheter was feasible in the Y-stents only with Neuroform stents. In the Y-stent with double Enterprise stents, the lengths of the second stent pores were significantly smaller than those of the first stent (0.41?±?0.18 mm vs 0.69?±?0.20 mm; P?=?0.008). The SL-10 microcatheter was smaller than approximately 80 % of the stent pores of the first stent and 30 % of those of the second stent. The PX Slim microcatheter was smaller than 20 % of the stent pores of the first stent and 0 % of those of the second stent.

Conclusions

It was feasible to insert an SL-10 microcatheter into the aneurysm through Y-stents with Enterprise or Neuroform stents. Navigation of a PX Slim microcatheter for 0.020” Penumbra coils was feasible in Y-stents with Neuroform stents, but not with double Enterprise stents. The measurements of stent pores by micro-computed tomography supported this feasibility study. These results may be helpful to select appropriate stents and microcatheters in Y-stent-assisted coil embolization, especially in case of retreatments.     

Combined endovascular stent implantation and coil embolization for the treatment of a vertebro-basilar fusiform aneurysm: technical case report

We describe a case of the combined application of endovascular stent implantation and Guglielmi detachable coil packing for the treatment of a vertebro-basilar fusiform aneurysm and review the literature on stent placement to treat cerebral aneurysms. A 70-year-old female presented with an acute headache from subarachnoid hemorrhage. A fusiform aneurysm with a broad-based neck and dome, measuring 15 mm, involving the union of the vertebral arteries and the proximal basilar artery was demonstrated on cerebral angiography. The aneurysm was judged to be inoperable and treated conservatively. Twelve days later the patient was transferred to our hospital for endovascular therapy. An intravascular stent (MultiLink) was placed across the base of the aneurysm through the right vertebral artery. After this, coil placement in the aneurysm around the stent was performed via a microcatheter guided from the left vertebral artery. After that a microcatheter was guided from the right vertebral artery through the interstices of the stent into the aneurysm, and additional coils were placed. Final angiography showed subtotal occlusion of the aneurysm and excellent blood flow of the parent artery through the stent. There were no new neurological deficits. Neither rerupture nor ischemic event has occurred. The use of stents provides another treatment for managing the difficult entity of intracranial aneurysms.     

Efficacy and current limitations of intravascular stents for intracranial internal carotid, vertebral, and basilar artery aneurysms.

OBJECT: Results of previous in vitro and in vivo experimental studies have suggested that placement of a porous stent within the parent artery across the aneurysm neck may hemodynamically uncouple the aneurysm from the parent vessel, leading to thrombosis of the aneurysm. For complex wide-necked aneurysms, a stent may also aid packing of the aneurysm with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs) by acting as a rigid scaffold that prevents coil herniation into the parent vessel. Recently, improved stent system delivery technology has allowed access to the tortuous vascular segments of the intracranial system. The authors report here on the use of intracranial stents to treat aneurysms involving different segments of the internal carotid artery (ICA), the vertebral artery (VA), and the basilar artery (BA). METHODS: Ten patients with intracranial aneurysms located at ICA segments (one petrous, two cavernous, and three paraclinoid aneurysms), the VA proximal to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery origin (one aneurysm), or the BA trunk (three aneurysms) were treated since January 1998. In eight patients, stent placement across the aneurysm neck was followed (immediately in four patients and at a separate procedure in the remaining four) by coil placement in the aneurysm, accomplished via a microcatheter through the stent mesh. In two patients, wide-necked aneurysms (one partially thrombosed BA trunk aneurysm and one paraclinoid segment aneurysm) were treated solely by stent placement; coil placement may follow later if necessary. No permanent periprocedural complications occurred and, at follow-up examination, no patient was found to have suffered symptoms referable to aneurysm growth or thromboembolic complications. Greater than 90% aneurysm occlusion was achieved in the eight patients treated by stent and coil placement as demonstrated on immediate postprocedural angiograms. Follow-up angiographic studies performed in six patients at least 3 months later (range 3-14 months) revealed only one incident of in-stent stenosis. In the four patients originally treated solely by stent placement, no evidence of aneurysm thrombosis was observed either immediately postprocedure or on follow-up angiographic studies performed 24 hours (two patients), 48 hours, and 3 months later, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A new generation of flexible stents can be used to treat complex aneurysms in difficult-to-access areas such as the proximal intracranial segments of the ICA, the VA, or the BA trunk. The stent allows tight coil packing even in the presence of a wide-necked, irregularly shaped aneurysm and may provide an endoluminal matrix for endothelial growth. Although convincing experimental evidence suggests that stent placement across the aneurysm neck may by itself promote intraluminal thrombosis, the role of this phenomenon in clinical practice may be limited at present by the high porosity of currently available stents.