- Adult,
- Angiography, Digital Subtraction,
- Cerebral Angiography,
- Embolization, Therapeutic,
- Endovascular Procedures,
- Female,
- Follow-Up Studies,
- Humans,
- Intracranial Aneurysm,
- Male,
- Middle Aged,
- Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors,
- Postoperative Complications,
- Retrospective Studies,
- Stents,
- Treatment Outcome,
- Vertebral Artery Dissection
BACKGROUND: Dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral artery (VA) are difficult to treat using current surgical and endovascular techniques.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze retrospectively the efficacy and safety of flow diverters in the treatment of dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral artery.
METHODS: We identified six patients with six unruptured VA dissecting aneurysms either arising from the V4 or V3-V4 junction that were treated with the Pipeline embolization device (PED) at our institution between July 2012 and February 2015. Among other parameters, technical feasibility of the procedure, procedure-related complications, angiographic results, and clinical outcome were evaluated.
RESULTS: PED placement was achieved in all cases and immediate angiography follow-up demonstrated intra-aneurysmal contrast stasis with parent artery preservation. A temporary episode of dysarthria was noted in one patient. Major procedure-related complications were not observed. The 6-month follow-up (n=6) demonstrated complete/near-complete aneurysm obliteration in five patients and partial obliteration in one. At the 1-year follow-up (n=5) stable complete aneurysm occlusion was seen in two patients. Two cases showed progression from near complete occlusion and partial occlusion at 6 months to complete occlusion and near complete occlusion. One cases showed unchanged near complete occlusion. No aneurysmal bleeding, in-stent stenosis or thromboembolic complication was seen. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and modified Rankin scale scores remained unchanged from admission to discharge.
CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary experience with the use of PED for the treatment of intradural VA dissecting aneurysms shows promising short-term results, making this technique a feasible and safe treatment option in patients suitable for this approach. However, long-term and larger cohort studies are needed to validate these results.
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/samuel-hou/15/
Samuel Hou is affiliated with Providence St. Joseph Health.