Y-stenting with braided stents for wide-neck intracranial bifurcation aneurysms. A single-center initial experience

IntroductionThe treatment of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms is still challenging despite the use of new techniques, such as Y-stenting, the waffle-cone technique and intrasaccular flow disrupters, in recent years. Moreover, the use of flow diverter stents in bifurcation aneurysms has been proposed by several teams, although the results remain controversial. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of Y-stent assisted coiling of bifurcation aneurysms with braided stents.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed all patients in whom Y-stenting with braided stents had been performed in our center. Six patients were identified and analyzed. Technical success, complications, angiographic outcomes, procedural data, and follow-up controls are reported here. This study was approved by our local ethical committee.ResultsTechnical success was achieved in all procedures. Overall procedure-related morbidity and mortality was 0%. In the immediate post-treatment angiography, adequate occlusion (neck remnant or total occlusion) was observed in all patients. Short- and long-term follow-up angiography showed adequate occlusion of the aneurysms.ConclusionsIn this small, retrospective single-center analysis we showed that Y-stent assisted coiling with braided stents is a safe and feasible technique. Moreover, it has a high immediate occlusion rate and very good long-term stability.     

Y型支架辅助技术在颅内动脉分叉部宽颈动脉瘤治疗中的应用

目的 探讨Y型支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞颅内动脉分叉部宽颈动脉瘤的疗效。方法 回顾性分析2012年10月至2015年10月采用Y型支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞的16例颅内动脉分叉部宽颈动脉瘤的临床资料,均采用闭环Enterprise支架,其中采取并行Y型支架技术9例,交叉Y型支架技术7例。结果 均成功采用Y型支架辅助弹簧圈技术完成动脉瘤的栓塞,技术成功率为100%;1例术前Hunt-Hess分级4级的基底动脉分叉部宽颈动脉瘤因严重脑血管痉挛于术后第二天死亡;1例术后出现一过性神经功能缺失,6个月复查造影见分叉部一分支主干闭塞;1例基底动脉末端大动脉瘤瘤体有复发;余13例经CTA或DSA随访1个月~3年均无再出血及动脉瘤复发。结论 Y型支架辅助技术是治疗颅内动脉分叉部绝对宽颈动脉瘤的有效方法,近期动脉瘤瘤体及瘤颈均达到致密填塞,远期疗效还需进一步观察。     

Single-centre comparison of procedural complications,clinical outcome,and angiographic follow-up between coiling and stent-assisted coiling for posterior communicating artery aneurysms

Aneurysm recurrence is a principle limitation of endovascular coiling procedures, especially in posterior communicating artery aneurysms, with reported recurrence rates of >30%. The adjunctive use of self-expandable stents has revolutionised the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, especially for complex morphologies, wide necks, or unfavourable dome-to-neck ratios. However, there are limited data concerning a direct comparison between simple coiling and stent-assisted coiling in posterior communicating artery aneurysms. This study aimed to compare the durability and outcomes of coiling versus stent-assisted coiling procedures. Imaging data of patients with posterior communicating artery aneurysms treated with coiling or stent-assisted coiling between January 2008 and October 2012 were retrospectively analysed. The initial angiographic results, procedural complications, and clinical outcomes were assessed at discharge. Imaging follow-up was performed with cerebral angiography. Complete aneurysm occlusion was achieved on initial angiography in 23/56 (41.1%) stent and 83/235 (35.3%) non-stent patients. At the latest follow-up (mean follow-up 14.3 ± 10.4 months for stent and 13.2 ± 9.5 months for non-stent patients), aneurysms had recurred in 5/47 (10.6%) stent and 57/203 (28.1%) non-stent patients (p = 0.014). Procedural complications occurred in 6/56 (10.7%) stent and 27/235 (11.5%) non-stent aneurysms. No rebleeding occurred during clinical follow-up (mean duration, 46.7 months). Recurrence rates at the latest follow-up were significantly lower in patients undergoing stent-assisted coiling than those undergoing simple coiling. Thus, use of the stent-assisted neck remodelling technique in the treatment of wide-necked posterior communicating artery intracranial aneurysms appears to improve the long-term clinical outcome.     

Stent-assisted coiling strategies for the treatment of wide-necked basilar artery bifurcation aneurysms

Stent-assisted coiling is now the preferred treatment option for wide-necked basilar artery bifurcation aneurysms (BABA). However, the optimal choice of specific treatment strategies is still not well documented. In this paper, based on the “two-neck” theory of BABA, we classified the stent-assisted coiling treatment of BABA into three types: unilateral stent-assisted coiling, unilateral stent plus contralateral microcatheter or microwire-assisted coiling, and bilateral stent-assisted coiling. We assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of different stent-assisted coiling strategies for the treatment of BABA. Twenty-three BABA patients treated with stent-assisted coiling between May 2003 and September 2012 were included. Of the 23 aneurysms, 16 were treated with unilateral stent-assisted coiling, two were treated with unilateral stent and microcatheter or microwire-assisted coiling, and five were treated with bilateral stent-assisted coiling. All 23 BABA were successfully embolized, with a technical success rate of 100%. According to the Raymond classification, the immediate procedural outcome was grade I in nine patients, grade II (neck residue) in four patients and grade III (body filling) in 10 patients. The rate of procedure-related complications was 4.3% (1/23), where intra-operative hemorrhage occurred during coiling due to rupture of the aneurysm. Of the 23 patients, 16 (69.6%) had angiographic follow-up. The mean follow-up duration was 13.5 months (range 1–46 months). Angiographic follow-up showed complete occlusion in 10 patients (62.5%), improvement in two patients (12.5%), stability in three patients (18.7%), and recanalization in one patient (6.25%). The various stent-assisted coiling strategies available at present are feasible and effective for the treatment of wide-necked BABA.     

Endovascular treatment of ruptured tiny,wide-necked posterior communicating artery aneurysms using a modified stent-assisted coiling technique

The endovascular treatment of patients with tiny, wide-necked aneurysms is technically challenging, due to the small volume for microcatheterization and coil stabilization inside the aneurysm sac. We performed a retrospective study to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of stent-assisted embolization for patients with ruptured, tiny, wide-necked posterior communicating artery (PcomA) aneurysms. Between January 2007 and August 2011, 17 tiny, wide-necked PcomA aneurysms that had ruptured were treated at our institution using a modified stent-assisted technique, with delivery of the first coil inside the aneurysm followed by placement of a self-expanding stent via a second microcatheter. All patients were treated successfully using this modified stent-assisted coiling technique. Initial results showed aneurysm occlusion of Raymond Class 1 in 10 patients, Class 2 in four patients, and Class 3 in three patients. The angiographic follow-up results for 13 patients (mean, 12.5 months) showed that all aneurysms remained stable or improved, without any in-stent stenosis or recurrence. Of the other four patients, three refused angiography for economic or personal reasons, and one was lost in follow-up. Clinical follow-up of 16 patients for a mean of 23.8 months showed no death or rebleeding. These results imply that endovascular treatment of ruptured tiny, wide-necked PcomA aneurysms using our modified stent-assisted coiling technique is safe and feasible. This technique improves the long-term outcomes of these aneurysms by increasing the packing density and diverting the intra-aneurysmal blood flow.     

颅内破裂微小动脉瘤血管内治疗的安全性和有效性

目的探讨颅内破裂微小动脉瘤血管内治疗的安全性及有效性。方法回顾性分析2016年1月至2017年12月收治的53例颅内破裂微小动脉瘤的临床及随访资料,均采用血管内治疗。结果动脉瘤最大直径平均(2.19±0.55)mm。单纯弹簧圈栓塞27例,球囊辅助栓塞2例,支架辅助栓塞24例;术后即刻造影显示动脉瘤致密栓塞24例(45.3%),瘤颈残留16例(30.2%),瘤体显影13例(24.5%)。共3例(5.7%)发生围术期并发症,其中1例(1.9%)为术中破裂,1例(1.9%)为术中血栓形成,1例(1.9%)为术后早期再出血。39例影像学随访3·13个月,平均平均(6.1±2.4)个月,动脉瘤不显影32例(82.1%);稳定3例(7.7%);复发4例(10.3%),均再治疗。51例临床随访6~28个月,平均(14.9±6.6)个月,改良Rankin量表评分0~2分50例(98.0%),3分1例(2.0%)。结论对于颅内破裂微小动脉瘤,血管内治疗具有较高的围手术期安全性,以及较高的短期治愈率和临床预后良好率。     

Endovascular treatment of ruptured tiny (⩽3 mm) intracranial aneurysms in the setting of subarachnoid hemorrhage: A case series of 20 patients and literature review

Successful endovascular coiling of ruptured tiny saccular intracranial aneurysms (⩽3 mm) is technically challenging and traditionally has been associated with technical failures, as well as morbidity related to thromboembolic events and high intraoperative rupture rates. This study analyzes the feasibility, technical efficacy, and clinical outcomes of coil embolization of ruptured tiny intracranial aneurysms using current coil and microcatheter technology and techniques. We performed a retrospective review of 20 patients with 20 ruptured tiny aneurysms treated with endovascular coil embolization from 2013 to 2016 at a single high-volume academic tertiary care practice. The mean aneurysm size was 2.4 mm (median 2.5 mm, 1–3). Complete occlusion was achieved in 12 of 20 patients (60%), the remaining 7 of 20 patients (35%) had a small neck remnant, and there was 1 failure (5%) converted to microsurgical clipping. Two patients had a failed attempted surgical clip reconstruction and were subsequently coiled. There was 1 intraprocedural rupture (5%) and 1 severe parent artery vasospasm (5%) during coiling. At discharge, 60% of patients were living independently. At follow-up three patients were deceased. Mean angiographic follow-up was 139 days (SD 120). There were no aneurysm recurrences among occluded patients and there were no retreatments among those with neck remnants. Coiling of ruptured aneurysms ⩽3 mm is feasible with high occlusion rates and low complication rates. The availability of softer coils with flexible detachment zones has led to safe and effective endovascular treatment of tiny ruptured aneurysms.     

Importance of independent evaluation of initial anatomic results after endovascular coiling for ruptured cerebral aneurysms

Initial incomplete occlusion is been an important predictor of aneurysm recurrence, rebleeding or retreatment after endovascular coiling. In 129 patients in the Prospective Registry of Subarachnoid Aneurysms Treatment (PRESAT) cohort, ruptured aneurysms were coiled within 14 days of onset, and initial post-coiling and 1-year follow-up aneurysm-occlusion status were evaluated by both local investigators and independent reviewers. The aim of this study was to investigate whether self-reported evaluations of initial aneurysm occlusion by treating physicians predicted incomplete aneurysm occlusion at 1 year after coiling for ruptured cerebral aneurysms as well as that done by independent evaluations. The relationships between self-reported or independent evaluations of initial anatomic results and 1-year incomplete aneurysm occlusion (retreatment within 1 year, or residual aneurysms at 1 year) were determined. Both initial and 1-year aneurysm-occlusion status were judged significantly worse by independent reviewers than by local investigators (p < 0.001). One-year incomplete aneurysm occlusion was identified in 59 patients: 10 patients, including two patients with re-ruptured aneurysms, were retreated and 49 other patients were judged to have residual aneurysms by independent reviewers. On immediate post-coiling angiograms, both residual neck or aneurysm judged by local investigators, and residual aneurysm judged by independent reviewers, were predictive for 1-year incomplete aneurysm occlusion on univariate analyses. However, multivariate analyses found that the initial aneurysm occlusion status judged by independent reviewers (p = 0.02, odds ratio = 2.83, 95% confidence interval = 1.15–6.95), but not by local investigators, was a significant predictor for 1-year incomplete aneurysm occlusion. This study demonstrates the importance of independent evaluations of aneurysm occlusion status for management of coiled aneurysms.     

Double waffle-cone technique using twin Solitaire detachable stents for treatment of an ultra-wide necked aneurysm

Several stent-supported coiling techniques have been devised for treating wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms including the Y-stent and waffle-cone constructs. The Y-stent technique is not technically possible with obtusely oriented daughter vessels, and the waffle-cone method is inadequate for aneurysms with necks exceeding the stent’s maximal expansion diameter. We describe here the novel use of the Solitaire electrolytically detachable slotted stent (Solitaire, ev3, Irvine, CA, USA) featuring large-sized cells to fashion a concentric “double waffle-cone” construct. This method enabled the doubling of the neck coverage to treat an ultra-wide necked middle cerebral aneurysm with obtusely oriented daughter branches. The technique relies on the intra-cell crossing of the first stent using the second stent delivery microcatheter and fine tuning the relative position with the aid of cross-sectional cone-beam computed tomographic angiography to achieve optimal coverage of the neck prior to detachment of the stents in position. A retrievable stent with large cells such as the Solitaire device is optimal for this application given the need for relative adjustment of the deployment before final stent release to avoid under- or over-penetration of the distal stent struts into the aneurysm dome. An additional advantage of this approach over the kissing-stent technique is the absence of intraluminal stent struts, which was confirmed here by down-the-barrel cross-sectional imaging. The double waffle-cone construct enabled the successful coiling of the aneurysm with no post-procedural ischemic events detected on diffusion-weighted MRI and with stable complete embolization and no residual filling or in-stent stenosis at 6 month follow-up.     

Y-Stenting Endovascular Treatment for Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms : A Single-Institution Experience in Korea

Objective

Stent-assisted coiling on intracranial aneurysm has been considered as an effective technique and has made the complex aneurysms amenable to coiling. To achieve reconstruction of intracranial vessels with preservation of parent artery the use of stents has the greatest potential for assisted coiling. We report the results of our experiences in ruptured wide-necked intracranial aneurysms using Y-stent coiling.

Methods

From October 2003 to October 2011, 12 patients (3 men, 9 women; mean age, 62.6) harboring 12 complex ruptured aneurysms (3 middle cerebral artery, 9 basilar tip) were treated by Y-stent coiling by using self-expandable intracranial stents. Procedural complications, clinical outcome, and initial and midterm angiographic results were evaluated. The definition of broad-necked aneurysm is neck diameter over than 4 mm or an aneurysm with a neck diameter smaller than 4 mm in which the dome/neck ratio was less than 2.

Results

In all patients, the aneurysm was successfully occluded with no apparent procedure-related complication. There was no evidence of thromboembolic complication, arterial dissection and spasm during procedure. Follow-up studies showed stable and complete occlusion of the aneurysm in all patients with no neurologic deficits.

Conclusion

The present study did show that the Y-stent coiling seemed to facilitate endovascular treatment of ruptured wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. More clinical data with longer follow-up are needed to establish the role of Y-stent coiling in ruptured aneurysms.     

Balloon-in-stent assisted coiling for treatment of intracranial overwide and undertall aneurysms

This study reports our experience of balloon-in-stent assisted coiling for the treatment of morphologically unfavorable aneurysms located in the internal carotid artery (ICA). From July 2007 to April 2014, twelve patients with twelve aneurysms located in the ICA were coil embolized by simultaneously using balloon and stent assistance. Five aneurysms were ruptured and seven were unruptured. All the aneurysms were overwide (dome-to-neck ratio ⩽1.2) and undertall (aspect ratio ⩽1.2) anatomically. The procedure-related adverse events, clinical and angiographic results were retrospectively analyzed. Intraprocedural aneurysmal bleeding occurred for one unruptured aneurysm but was stopped immediately after the balloon was inflated. Periprocedural thromboembolism occurred for two ruptured aneurysms, leading to death in one patient and severe neurological deficit for the other one. Procedure-related permanent morbidity and mortality rates were 8.3% (1/12) and 8.3% (1/12). Satisfactory (total and subtotal) occlusion was obtained immediately in 11 (91.7%) cases. Nine aneurysms received digital subtraction angiography follow-up (mean 25.1 months, range 6–55), and all of them except one were totally obliterated. No aneurysmal bleeding occurred during a mean period of 59.1 months, clinical follow-up for eleven patients. Balloon-in-stent assisted coiling might be a therapeutic alternative to prevent growth or rupture of overwide and undertall aneurysms. Nevertheless, it should be used prudently for ruptured ICA aneurysms, for its disadvantage of technical complexity and relatively high rate of adverse events.     

Meta-analysis of stent-assisted coiling versus coiling-only for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms

Endovascular coil embolization is a widely accepted and useful treatment modality for intracranial aneurysms. However, the principal limitation of this technique is the high aneurysm recurrence. The adjunct use of stents for coil embolization procedures has revolutionized the field of endovascular aneurysm management, however its safety and efficacy remains unclear. Two independent reviewers searched six databases from inception to July 2015 for trials that reported outcomes according to those who received stent-assisted coiling versus coiling-only (no stent-assistance). There were 14 observational studies involving 2698 stent-assisted coiling and 29,388 coiling-only patients. The pooled immediate occlusion rate for stent-assisted coiling was 57.7% (range: 20.2%–89.2%) and 48.7% (range: 31.7%–89.2%) for coiling-only, with no significant difference between the two (odds ratio [OR} = 1.01; 95% confidence intervals [CI}: 0.68–1.49). However, progressive thrombosis was significantly more likely in stent-assisted coiling (29.9%) compared to coiling-only (17.5%) (OR = 2.71; 95% CI: 1.95–3.75). Aneurysm recurrence was significantly lower in stent-assisted coiling (12.7%) compared to coiling-only (27.9%) (OR = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.28–0.66). In terms of complications, there was no significant difference between the two techniques for all-complications, permanent complications or thrombotic complications. Mortality was significantly higher in the stent-assisted group 1.4% (range: 0%–27.5%) compared to the coiling-only group 0.2% (range: 0%–19.7%) (OR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.33–3.52). Based on limited evidence, stent-assisted coiling shows similar immediate occlusion rates, improved progressive thrombosis and decreased aneurysm recurrence compared to coiling-only, but is associated with a higher mortality rate. Future randomized controlled trials are warranted to clarify the safety of stent-associated coiling.     

The effect of Neuroform stent-assisted coil embolization of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms and clinical factors on progressive aneurysm occlusion on angiographic follow-up

Stent-assisted coil embolization is an endovascular treatment for wide-necked intracranial aneurysms, but the durability of this treatment is not well known. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the Neuroform stent (Boston Scientific/Target, Fremont, CA, USA) in progressive occlusion of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms, and to assess any correlation between clinical factors and angiographic follow-up results. The records of 52 patients treated with a Neuroform stent were retrieved for analysis of population characteristics, initial and follow-up angiographic results, and clinical outcomes. Initial angiographic results showed complete occlusion in 21 (40.4%), neck remnants in 22 (42.3%), and residual aneurysms in nine (17.3%). Angiographic follow-up was available in 45 of 52 (86.5%) patients: complete occlusion was achieved in 32 (71.1%), neck remnants were present in eight (17.8%) and residual aneurysms in five (11.1%). Of 31 patients with immediate incomplete obliteration, progressive complete occlusion was achieved in 16 of 28 (57.1%) patients. Clinical follow-up showed good outcomes according to the modified Rankin Scale score. A univariate analysis showed that there was no effect of the tested clinical variables of patient age (p = 0.823), gender (p = 0.419), aneurysm location (p = 0.394), size (p = 0.625) and rupture status (p = 0.721) on aneurysm occlusion at follow-up. We conclude that the Neuroform stent-assisted neck remodelling technique improves progressive occlusion of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms with good clinical outcomes.     

Changing paradigm in the management of elderly patients with intracranial aneurysms: An institutional review

Optimal treatment of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) in elderly patients has not yet been well established. We have investigated the clinical and radiological outcomes and predictors of unfavorable outcome of IAs in elderly patients. Radiological and clinical data of 85 elderly patients from 2010 through 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Significant differences between the groups were determined by a chi-square test. Regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of unfavorable outcome. Among the 85 patients with IAs, the number of patients with >7 mm size aneurysm (p = 0.01), diabetes mellitus (DM) (p = 0.02), smoking (0.009) and Hunt and Hess grade 4–5 (p = 0.003) was significantly higher in the ruptured group compared to the unruptured group. Similarly, the number of patients who underwent clipping was higher in the ruptured aneurysm group (p = 0.01). The overall clinical outcome was comparatively better in the unruptured group (p = 0.03); however, microsurgical clipping of aneurysms provides a significantly higher rate of complete aneurysmal occlusion (p = 0.008). Overall, there was no significant difference in outcome in respect to treatment approach. In regression analysis, hypertension (HTN), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), prior stroke, ruptured aneurysms and partial occlusion of aneurysms were identified as predictors of unfavorable outcome of IAs. Intracranial aneurysms in elderly patients reveals that endovascular treatment provides better clinical outcome; however, microsurgical clipping yields higher complete occlusion. Retreatment of residual aneurysms was comparatively more in the coiling group. Practice pattern has shifted from clipping to coiling for aneurysms in posterior circulation but not for aneurysms in anterior circulation.     

Whole-brain CT perfusion combined with CT angiography for ischemic complications following microsurgical clipping and endovascular coiling of ruptured intracranial aneurysms

Ischemic complications associated with microsurgical clipping and endovascular coiling affects the outcome of patients with intracranial aneurysms. We prospectively evaluated 58 intracranial aneurysm patients who had neurological deterioration or presented with poor grade (Hunt-Hess grades III and IV), aneurysm size >13 mm and multiple aneurysms after clipping or coiling. Thirty patients had ischemic complications (52%) as demonstrated by whole-brain CT perfusion (WB-CTP) combined with CT angiography (CTA). Half of these 30 patients had treatment-associated reduction in the diameter of the parent vessels (n = 6), ligation of the parent vessels or perforating arteries (n = 2), and unexplained or indistinguishable vascular injury (n = 7); seven of these 15 (73%) patients suffered infarction. The remaining 15 patients had disease-associated cerebral ischemia caused by generalized vasospasm (n = 6) and focal vessel vasospasm (n = 9); six of these 15 (40%) patients developed infarction. Three hemodynamic patterns of ischemic complications were found on WB-CTP, of which increased time to peak, time to delay and mean transit time associated with decreased cerebral blood flow and cerebral blood volume were the main predictors of irreversible ischemic lesions. In conclusion, WB-CTP combined with CTA can accurately determine the cause of neurological deterioration and classify ischemic complications. This combined approach may be helpful in assessing hemodynamic patterns and monitoring operative outcomes.     

支架辅助栓塞破裂性前交通宽颈动脉瘤

目的 探讨支架辅助栓塞前交通宽颈动脉瘤的术前评估、支架植入策略、治疗效果.方法 回顾分析采用支架结合弹簧圈治疗的21例前交通宽颈动脉瘤及载瘤动脉解剖形态,支架植入技术操作程序,临床和造影结果.结果 21例动脉瘤均成功植入支架,其中Neuroform支架19枚、LEO支架2枚.12例支架远端位于同侧A2段、5例支架远端越过前交通植入对侧A2段、4例位于动脉瘤内.术后即刻致密栓塞18例;大部分栓塞2例;部分栓塞1例.术中动脉瘤破裂1例,经继续栓塞后出血得到控制.平均8.7个月后DSA随访12例,MRA随访4例,显示1例动脉瘤再通.结论 术前应根据动脉瘤及前交通动脉的解剖形态和功能制定支架植入策略.支架辅助栓塞前交通宽颈动脉瘤技术安全可行,动脉瘤致密栓塞率高.支架的长期疗效需进一步随访观察.     

Clipping versus coiling for intracranial aneurysms

Background and purposeThe aim of this study was to compare results of clipping and coiling for aneurysms of the anterior circle of Willis. Previous studies have not identified a clear superiority of one method over the other.Material and methodsThe study group included 165 consecutive patients. The assessment took into account the risk of death, neurological status according to the scale of the GOS and mRS, the incidence of early complications and quality of life measured by own surveys and questionnaire EORTC QLQ-C30 v. 3.0.ResultsMean follow-up was more than four years. Early and late results of treatment after embolization and clipping for all patients did not differ. Evaluation of patients with bleeding aneurysms demonstrated better outcomes after embolization, however statistical significance was observed only in terms of symptomatic scale score of QLQ-C30 questionnaire (p = 0.02). For patients with non-bleeding aneurysms better outcomes were obtained after clipping, but statistical significance was found only in the early results: more excellent results in GOS score at discharge (p < 0.03) and fewer complications during hospitalization (p = 0.02).ConclusionsResults of treatment after clipping and coiling do not differ in total for all patients, but differ depending on the presence of bleeding. Patients with bleeding aneurysms achieve better outcomes after coiling, and patients with non-bleeding aneurysms achieve better outcomes after clipping.     

Microsurgical clipping of large and giant cerebral aneurysms: A single-center contemporary experience

Several treatment strategies are available to manage large and giant cerebral aneurysms, including surgical, endovascular and combined approaches. We present our experience with microsurgical clipping of large and giant aneurysms. A total of 138 patients with 139 aneurysms of which 128 were large (⩾10 mm) and 11 were giant (⩾25 mm) were treated at our institution between 2004 and 2011. Data were collected from a prospectively maintained neurovascular database. Of 138 patients, 53 (38.4%) patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Peri-operative complications occurred in 16.7% of patients causing permanent morbidity in 4.4% and death in 0.7%. Complete occlusion, as evident on intra-operative angiography, was achieved in all clipped aneurysms (100%). Long-term follow-up angiography showed no recurrence (mean follow-up time, 43.9 months; range: 1–72 months). Favorable outcomes at discharge (Glasgow Outcome Scale score 4 or 5) were noted in 64.1% of SAH patients and 93% of non-SAH patients. Favorable outcomes at follow-up (mean follow up time, 42.5 months) were seen in 96% of patients. In our experience, microsurgical clipping of large and giant aneurysms carries low rates of morbidity and mortality with high rates of favorable outcomes. The excellent durability of surgical treatment stands in stark contrast with the high recurrence rates observed with coiling for this subset of aneurysms. These data suggest that microsurgical clipping continues to be a viable option that can be offered for patients with large and giant aneurysms.     

Outcomes for a case series of unruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm surgery

Surgical outcomes following repair of unruptured anterior communicating artery (AcomA) aneurysms have not been adequately addressed in the literature. We present our operative experiences in a consecutive series of 103 patients with 115 unruptured AcomA aneurysms. Clinical results, operative complications, angiographic outcomes and prognostic factors associated with surgery are presented. Of the 115 aneurysm repairs attempted, 114 were treated by clipping or excision and suture. One aneurysm, less than 2 mm, was wrapped. Six patients (5.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.5–12.4) experienced a new permanent neurological deficit. There was no postoperative mortality. Transient morbidity occurred in 11 patients (10.7%; 95% CI, 5.9–18.3), including transient anosmia (four patients), acute postoperative confusion and memory disturbances (four patients), extradural haematoma requiring surgery (two patients) and cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea (one patient). Of the 84 aneurysms (73.0%) that had documented postoperative angiography, 82 (97.6%) had complete obliteration of the aneurysm and two (2.4%) had neck remnants (mean angiographic follow-up 28.0 months; range, 1.6–146.4 months). Retreatment was performed in one patient (1.0%). Logistic regression analysis of risk factors revealed that aneurysm size (p < 0.01) was a significant predictor of outcome. There was no incidence of subarachnoid haemorrhage in the 272 person years of follow-up. In the current study, surgical treatment of unruptured AcomA aneurysms resulted in 5.8% morbidity and no mortality. The robustness of aneurysm repair achieved by open microsurgery is an important consideration when considering the option between endovascular and microsurgical treatment for unruptured AcomA aneurysms.     

Experiences and complications in endovascular treatment of paraclinoid aneurysms

Endovascular treatment is a promising therapeutic alternative for paraclinoid aneurysms. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and results of endovascular treatment for these lesions. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data, results and complications of endovascular treatment of a series of 47 consecutive patients with paraclinoid aneurysms. Nineteen of these patients presented with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage, and 28 patients were treated for unruptured aneurysms. Endovascular treatment was performed for 50 aneurysms in 47 patients including stent-assisted coiling (19), balloon-assisted coiling (five), coiling without adjunctive techniques (25) and stent alone (one). Technical failures occurred in two patients (one stent deployment failure due to unsuccessful distal access across the aneurysm neck and one coiling failure due to unsuccessful microcatheter navigation through the stent). Periprocedural complications were observed in six patients (12.8%), with permanent morbidity in one patient resulting from a thromboembolic event. Immediate complete occlusion was achieved in 36 aneurysms (72%). During follow up, enlargement of a partially occluded giant aneurysm was observed in one patient, which was treated with parent artery occlusion. No delayed hemorrhagic complications were seen in the remaining patients. Endovascular treatment is technically feasible and safe in most patients with paraclinoid aneurysm, with a low rate of procedural complications.