Platinum coil treatment of complex aneurysms of the vertebrobasilar circulation

Summary Two patients with complex aneurysms of the vertebrobasilar system were treated using platinum coils. During these sessions, 22 coils were placed in a basilar tip aneurysm in a 48-year-old woman. Almost total occlusion of the lumen was achieved, excepted in the area from which the right posterior cerebral artery arose. A large fusiform vertebral artery aneurysm in a 6-year-old boy was treated using 16 coils, which partially occluded the lumen at initial embolization. Follow-up angiography 2 weeks later revealed almost complete occlusion of the lumen with preservation of the vertebral artery. Our experience indicates that coil embolization of complex intracranial aneurysms is an acceptable treatment alternative to surgery or to a detachable balloon.     

Unruptured intracranial aneurysms treated by three-dimensional coil embolization: evaluation of the postoperative aneurysm occlusion volume

Our purpose was to evaluate the postoperative aneurysm occlusion volume and clinical results of treating unruptured intracranial aneurysm using three-dimensional (3D) coils. Over a 2-year period 62 aneurysms (39 with a neck 4 mm, 23 with a neck >4 mm) in 62 patients in five participating centres were treated. The procedure consisted, firstly, of framing the aneurysm with one or more spherical 3D coils, and secondly, of filling it with two-dimensional (2D) helical coils. Anatomical and clinical results were evaluated by univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis was used to identify independent predictors of these results. For neck sizes 4 and >4 mm, angiographic occlusion was complete in 31 (79%) and 16 (70%) aneurysms, respectively; the mean percentage of occlusion volume was 31.4% and 29.5%, respectively, and postoperative morbidity was 3% and 4%, respectively, with no significant differences between the two groups. There were no deaths. However, occlusion volume correlated with sac size (P=0.037) and sac-to-neck ratio <1.5 (P=0.073), except when three or more 3D coils per aneurysm were used (P=0.516 and P=0.308, respectively). Occlusion volume correlated with the number of 3D coils per aneurysm (P<0.001) and was an independent predictor of angiographic complete occlusion (P=0.002). The use of the largest number of 3D coils per aneurysm was safe and may improve the postoperative volume and angiographic occlusion of aneurysms with a neck >4 mm, provided the sac-to-neck ratio is 1.5.     

Advances in endovascular aneurysm treatment: are we making a difference?

Recent advancements in endovascular aneurysm repair, including bioactive and expansile coils and intracranial stents, hold promise for improved aneurysm occlusion rates. We report the immediate and midterm clinical and angiographic outcomes of a consecutive series of patients treated since the advent of these technologies. Clinical and radiological records of 134 patients with 142 aneurysms treated between 2001 and 2004 were retrospectively evaluated by an independent neurologist. Endovascular procedures were analyzed by an independent neuroradiologist blinded to all clinical information. Seventy-two ruptured and 60 un-ruptured saccular aneurysms, nine fusiform and one post-traumatic aneurysm were treated. Matrix coils were used in 53% of saccular aneurysms and HydroCoils in 13% of all aneurysms. Neuroform stents were deployed in 19% of aneurysms. Angiographic total or subtotal occlusion was achieved in 76% of cases and in 96% at last follow-up. Aneurysm recanalization was observed in 14% over a mean follow-up of 12 months, and 18% of aneurysms were retreated. Clinically relevant complications occurred in 6.0%, resulting in procedure-related morbidity of 0.6% and 0.6% mortality at 6 months. No aneurysm bled over a cumulative 1,347 months of observation. Newer embolization technologies can be exploited successfully even in more complex aneurysms with very low morbidity and mortality.     

Advanced Embolization Techniques

The techniques of transcatheter embolization of unwanted blood vessels in patients with congenital heart disease have evolved considerably during the past 25 years. There are many different anatomical lesions requiring different approaches and devices. The main types of devices used can be classified into particles, coils, and plugs. It is important for the operator to be familiar with a range of these devices. The results of transcatheter embolization are usually excellent, and technical problems and complications can usually be overcome by attention to detail and persistence. The types of devices in common use and their clinical applications are discussed.     

De novo distal posterior cerebral artery aneurysm

BACKGROUND: De novo aneurysms in the posterior circulation are very rare. The authors describe a first case of ruptured de novo posterior cerebral artery (PCA) aneurysm in the P3 portion. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 52-year-old woman with ruptured de novo P3 aneurysm was treated by early endovascular obliteration using Guglielmi Detachable Coils (GDC). To prevent vasospasm, she received postoperative treatment with a hypertensive hypervolemia dilution and a calcium antagonist. She was discharged without neurologic deficits. CONCLUSIONS: Aneuryms arising from peripheral segment of PCA are rare, and delayed surgical clipping has been recommended for these lesions. This is the first report of a de novo P3 ruptured aneurysm treated by endovascular embolization using GDC in the acute stage of subarachnoid hemorrhage. The characteristics of de novo posterior circulation aneurysms and the strategy for the distal PCA aneurysms are discussed.     

功能磁刺激技术的研究

功能磁刺激是一种全新的生物组织刺激技术，以其可以兴奋神经肌肉的特点，及可进行深部刺激、无痛、非介入，易于操作等优点，具有广阔的应用前景。本文详细介绍了功能磁刺激技术的原理及磁刺激系统，介绍了目前磁刺激技术中线圈设计和实验研究成果，以及和我们在磁刺激镇痛方面的工作。     

支架辅助血管内栓塞前交通动脉破裂动脉瘤的疗效

目的 探讨支架辅助栓塞前交通动脉破裂动脉瘤的技术及临床疗效。方法 2005年7月至2015年4月采用支架辅助血管内栓塞治疗前交通动脉破裂动脉瘤21例。结果 栓塞后即刻造影示完全栓塞15例,瘤颈部分残留6例。术中动脉瘤破裂1例,术后再出血2例。21例患者术后随访6~24个月,平均12个月,其中DSA随访15例（9例即刻完全栓塞的患者造影复查动脉瘤仍完全不显影,载瘤动脉通畅;6例栓塞即刻大部分栓塞患者5例动脉瘤级瘤颈未显影,1例瘤颈仍部分显影;术后支架移位2例,载瘤动脉轻度狭窄1例）;所有患者均无神经功能损伤。结论 采用支架辅助血管内栓塞治疗前交通动脉破裂动脉瘤是安全的,复发率低,规范的操作、栓塞材料的合理选择可以降低手术并发症,达到最佳的临床疗效。     

血管内栓塞治疗前交通动脉瘤

目的探讨前交通动脉瘤的影像学特点、血管内栓塞治疗技巧及结果。方法采用血管内栓塞治疗26例前交通动脉瘤,对宽颈动脉瘤则采用瘤颈成形辅助技术,其中球囊辅助成形术4例,微导丝辅助成形技术2例,支架结合弹簧固栓塞1例。结果栓塞程度：致密栓塞18例（69．2％）,90％以上3例（11．5％）,90％以下5例（19．3％）。术中出血2例（7．7％）,死亡1例。结论弹簧圈栓塞前交通动脉瘤具有微创、安全、效果可靠的优点。根据前交通动脉瘤的影像学特点采用相应的栓塞方法,可以明显提高宽颈动脉瘤的致密栓塞率和减少脑梗死并发症发生。     

血管内治疗颅内动脉瘤33例临床分析

目的探讨血管内治疗颅内动脉瘤的方法及效果。方法33例颅内动脉瘤患者共有37枚动脉瘤,其中28枚采用单纯弹簧圈栓塞,9枚采用支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞。结果完全栓塞30枚,次完全栓塞6枚,不完全栓塞1枚。2例Hunt—HessV级患者死亡;1例支架辅助弹簧圈栓塞患者术后出现再出血,经治疗后痊愈;余患者术后随访1个月～2年,未发生再出血和动脉瘤复发。结论血管内治疗颅内动脉瘤是一种安全、微创、有效的方法。宽颈动脉瘤应用支架辅助技术治疗操作简单、并发症少。     

支架半释放技术辅助弹簧圈栓塞治疗破裂的颅内微小动脉瘤

目的探讨支架半释放技术辅助弹簧圈栓塞破裂颅内微小宽颈动脉瘤的可行性、有效性和安全性。方法2007年1月至2011年8月采用支架半释放技术辅助弹簧圈栓塞治疗破裂颅内微小宽颈动脉瘤37例。结果所有患者均成功通过支架半释放技术辅助弹簧圈栓塞治疗。术后即刻造影结果显示,Raymond分级I级26例,II级8例,III级3例。28例患者影像学随访3～24个月,平均10．4个月,未发现支架内再狭窄或复发。36例患者临床随访9—48个月,平均21．3个月,无再出血或死亡病例。结论支架半释放技术辅助弹簧圈栓塞治疗破裂颅内微小宽颈动脉瘤是安全、可行的。该技术通过增加瘤颈周围的填塞密度和改善血液动力学进一步提高长期疗效。