Introduction:
Flow diverter embolization is a novel method to treat intracranial aneurysms. The device has been shown to reduce procedure time and radiation exposure along with excellent long-term occlusion rates for single lesions. However, the effect of flow diversion on multiple adjacent aneurysms has not been well studied. We present our single center experience with flow diverter treatment of tandem aneurysms.
Methods:
We retrospectively collected clinical, imaging, procedural and follow up data on patients in whom flow diverters were used to treat intracranial anterior circulation aneurysms between 2011 and 2016. We included patients who had 2 or more tandem aneurysms of the internal carotid artery segment and where flow diverter was intended to treat all the aneurysms either as primary or secondary method.
Results:
We identified 21 patients with 52 aneurysms that met inclusion criteria. All were females with median age of 57 (Interquartile range [IQR] 51 - 69). Seventeen patients had 2 adjacent aneurysms, while 4 patients had 3 contiguous aneurysms. Of these, only one patient was treated acutely for ruptured aneurysm. The median largest aneurysm diameter was 3.1mm (IQR 2.5 - 4.8) with most common locations being cavernous and ophthalmic aneurysms. In 19 patients (90.5%) only a single flow diverter stent was used; only one patient required concurrent coiling. One patient (4.8%) suffered a post procedural mild stroke but improved rapidly. There were no other procedural complications. Follow up data in 13 patients (61.9%) with a median follow up of 8 months (IQR 6 - 13) demonstrated that 20 out of 28 aneurysms showed complete occlusion (71.4%). None of the patients at follow up required re-treatment, and there were no delayed/late aneurysm ruptures.
Conclusion:
Flow diverter is a feasible, efficacious and safe treatment option in patients with multiple tandem aneurysms, in a single session with good early outcomes. Long term follow up data and large cohort studies are required.
A Novel Flow Diverter (Tubridge) for the Treatment of Recurrent Aneurysms: A Single-Center Experience
