Panacea or problem: flow diverters in the treatment of symptomatic large or giant fusiform vertebrobasilar aneurysms

2012 ◽  
Vol 116 (6) ◽  
pp. 1258-1266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adnan H. Siddiqui ◽  
Adib A. Abla ◽  
Peter Kan ◽  
Travis M. Dumont ◽  
Shady Jahshan ◽  
...  

Object The use of flow-diverting stents has gained momentum as a curative approach in the treatment of complex proximal anterior circulation intracranial aneurysms. There have been some reported attempts of treating formidable lesions in the posterior circulation. Posterior circulation giant fusiform aneurysms have a particularly aggressive natural history. To date, no one approach has been shown to be comprehensively effective or low risk. The authors report the initial results, including the significant morbidity and mortality encountered, with flow diversion in the treatment of large or giant fusiform vertebrobasilar aneurysms at Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital. Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed their prospectively collected endovascular database to identify patients with intracranial aneurysms who underwent treatment with flow-diverting devices and determined that 7 patients had presented with symptomatic large or giant fusiform vertebrobasilar aneurysms. The outcomes of these patients, based on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), were tabulated, as were the complications experienced. Results Among the 7 patients, Pipeline devices were placed in 6 patients and Silk devices in 1 patient. At the last follow-up evaluation, 4 patients had died (mRS score of 6), all of whom were treated with the Pipeline device. The other 3 patients had mRS scores of 5 (severe disability), 1, and 0. The deaths included posttreatment aneurysm ruptures in 2 patients and lack of improvement in neurological status related to presenting brainstem infarcts and subsequent withdrawal of care in the other 2 patients. Conclusions Whether flow diversion will be an effective strategy for treatment of large or giant fusiform vertebrobasilar aneurysms remains to be seen. The authors' initial experience suggests substantial morbidity and mortality associated with the treatment and with the natural history. As outcomes data slowly become available for patients receiving these devices for fusiform posterior circulation aneurysms, practitioners should use these devices judiciously.

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1113-1116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud H Mohammaden ◽  
Stephen W English ◽  
Christopher J Stapleton ◽  
Eman Khedr ◽  
Ahmed Shoyb ◽  
...  

BackgroundFlow diversion (FD) is a common treatment modality for complex intracranial aneurysms. A major concern regarding the use of FD is thromboembolic events (TEE). There is debate surrounding the optimal antiplatelet regimen to prevent TEE. We aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ticagrelor as a single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) for the prevention of TEE following FD for complex aneurysm treatment.MethodsA retrospective review of a prospectively maintained neuroendovascular database at three endovascular centers was performed. Patients were included if they had an intracranial aneurysm that was treated with FD between January 2018 and September 2019 and were treated with ticagrelor as SAPT. Primary outcomes included early (within 72 hours post-procedure) and late (within 6 months) ischemic events.ResultsA total of 24 patients (mean age 47.7 years) with 36 aneurysms were eligible for analysis, including 15 (62.5%) females. 14 (58.3%) patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. 35 aneurysms arose from the anterior circulation and 1 from the posterior circulation. 23 aneurysms had a saccular morphology, whereas 7 were fusiform and 6 were blister. For the treatment of all 36 aneurysms, 30 procedures were performed with 32 FD devices. Procedural in-stent thrombosis occurred in 2 cases and was treated with intra-arterial tirofiban without complications. Aneurysm re-bleeding was reported in 1 (4.2%) patient. There were no reported early or late TEE. Three patients discontinued ticagrelor due to systemic side effects.ConclusionTicagrelor is a safe and effective SAPT for the prevention of TEE after FD. Large multicenter prospective studies are warranted to validate our findings.


Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajay K Wakhloo ◽  
Pedro Lylyk ◽  
Joost de Vries ◽  
Matthew J Gounis ◽  
Alexandra Biondi ◽  
...  

Objective: Validated through experimental studies a new generation of flow diverters (Surpass™ FD) was evaluated for treatment of intracranial aneurysms (IA). We present our multicenter preliminary clinical and angiographic experience. METHODS: To achieve the calculated flow disruption between the parent artery and aneurysm for thrombosis, single FDs were placed endovascularly in parent arteries. Implants measured 2.5-5.3mm in diameter with a length of 10-80mm. Patients were enrolled harboring a wide range large and giant wide-neck, fusiform and multiple small and blister-type aneurysm. Clinical and angiographic follow-up were performed at 1-3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 186 consecutive IA in 161 patients (mean age 57.1 years) were treated at 33 centers. Fifty-three aneurysms were smaller than 5 mm, 64 were 5-9.9mm in diameter, 47 were 10-20mm in diameter, and 22 were larger than 20mm (10.4±0.7mm, neck size 6.0±0.5mm [mean±SEM]) . The aneurysms originated in 63.4% from the internal carotid artery; 22% and 14.5% of the lesions were located in the anterior circulation distal to Circle of Willis and posterior circulation respectively. Technical success was achieved in 182 aneurysms (98%); average number of devices used per aneurysm was 1.05. Permanent morbidity and mortality during the follow-up period of mean 8.4months (range 1-24 months) including periprocedural complications for patients with aneurysms of the anterior circulation were encountered in 5 (3.7%) and 2 (1.5 %) patients respectively and 1 (3.7%) and 4 (14.8%) respectively for patients with aneurysms of the posterior circulation location. One-hundred-ten patients (70.5%) harboring 127 (70.2%) were available for clinical and angiographic follow-up and showed a complete or near complete aneurysm occlusion in 63 (81.8%) of the ICA. Aneurysms of the ICA≥10mm that were completely covered by FD and not previously stent-treated with a minimum of 6 months follow-up available in 16 patients showed a complete obliteration in 81.3% (n=13) and >90% occlusion in remaining 3 patients. CONCLUSION: Preliminary data demonstrate high safety and efficacy of a new generation of FD for a wide range of IA of the anterior and posterior circulation with a single implant.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lixia Xia ◽  
Zhongfei Hao ◽  
Hongjun Wang ◽  
Yan Feng ◽  
Yongxuan Zhan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Ruptured tiny intracranial aneurysm (RTIA) is particularly rare seen. Treatment of RTIA is more difficult and not under control.Methods: We hereby present twelve rare cases of RTIA that were diagnosed based on DSA. These patients were found due to spontaneous or traumatic SAH, 11 of whom were treated only by electrocoagulation, and one of whom was treated by stent-assisted coiling and electrocoagulation.Results: There were eight patients with aneurysms located in posterior circulation and four patients with aneurysms located in anterior circulation. 11 patients were cured only by electrocoagulation merely: ten patient’ RTIA disappeared completely and immediately and another patient’s RTIA was thrombosed two months later. The twelfth patient was carried out stent-assisted coiling and electrocoagulation. The twelve patients’ average follow-up time was 12.5 months and the outcomes were all surprisingly excellent. No revascularization of aneurysm was found. Conclusions: Electrocoagulation with guidewire manipulation is a suitable method to treat RTIA. While large-scale studies with long-term follow-up are required to validate these promising results.


2020 ◽  
pp. 159101992096188
Author(s):  
Mario Martínez-Galdámez ◽  
Miguel Schüller-Arteaga ◽  
Jorge Galván-Fernández ◽  
Vladimir Kalousek ◽  
Ezequiel Petra ◽  
...  

Flow diverter devices have become a routine first-line option for treatment of an increasing population of intracranial aneurysms at many neurovascular centers.  Despite the promising results of flow diverter stents on anterior circulation, incomplete occlusion on the presence of fetal posterior circulation has been described on several reports.  Here we describe a novel technical alternative to conventional flow diversion approach for this specific subgroup of aneurysms using the low-profile flow diverter, Silk Vista Baby. The device was selectively placed into the fetal type posterior cerebral artery in half-T configuration for the treatment of a posterior communicating aneurysm using a transcirculation approach through the anterior communicating artery. This represents a useful and effective technique and should be considered when encountering the above-described situation.


Author(s):  
Marlise Peruzzo dos Santos Souza ◽  
Ronit Agid ◽  
Robert A. Willinsky ◽  
Michael Cusimano ◽  
Walter Montanera ◽  
...  

Objective:To describe the results, technical feasibility, efficacy and challenges encountered in our preliminary experience using a self-expandable microstent, optimized for intracranial use, as an adjunct in the endovascular treatment of wide-necked aneurysms.Methods:Only broad-necked aneurysms (dome-to-neck ratio £2, or an isolated neck size > 4.5 mm) were treated with Neuroform microstent from July 2003 to May 2004. The techniques used for stent deployment were either parallel or sequential. Angiographic results were recorded immediately for all patients and classified as Class 1 (complete occlusion), Class 2 (neck remnant) or Class 3 (sac remnant) by three interventional neuroradiologists not involved in the procedure. Follow-up angiography at six months was obtained for one case. Modified Rankin Score scale was assessed for all patients.Results:Seventeen intracranial aneurysms in a total of 18 patients were treated (mean age, 52.2 yr). Eight patients (44.4%) presented with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. Eleven aneurysms (61.1%) were in the posterior circulation. Average dome size was 10.2 mm (range, 3.7-19.8 mm) and average neck size was 5.36 mm (range, 3.0-10.0 mm). Six out of seven aneurysms of the anterior circulation were approached with parallel technique. Eight aneurysms of the posterior circulation were approached with sequential technique. Average number of coils deployed was 9.64 (range, 4-23 coils). Eleven aneurysms (64.8%) resulted in Class 1 and/or Class 2. One technical failure was observed. Technical complications were recognized in four patients (23.5%), all of them with unruptured aneurysms in the anterior circulation. Two patients (11.7%) presented transient immediate clinical complications. One patient (5.8%) had minor permanent neurological complication. Neither major clinical complications nor death were encountered. Favorable clinical outcome (Modified Rankin Scale score 0-2) was observed in 88.2% of the patients (average follow-up time, 4.72 months).Conclusion:Absence of major permanent complications and satisfactory immediate obliteration degree in our preliminary experience indicates that microstent-assisted coiling technique is useful for the minimally invasive treatment of broad-necked complex aneurysms that are not ideal for conventional endovascular treatment and are at a high risk for conventional surgical treatment.


2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. E14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed J. Awad ◽  
Justin R. Mascitelli ◽  
Reham R. Haroun ◽  
Reade A. De Leacy ◽  
Johanna T. Fifi ◽  
...  

Fusiform aneurysms are uncommon compared with their saccular counterparts, yet they remain very challenging to treat and are associated with high rates of rebleeding and morbidity. Lack of a true aneurysm neck renders simple clip reconstruction or coil embolization usually impossible, and more advanced techniques are required, including bypass, stent-assisted coiling, and, more recently, flow diversion. In this article, the authors review posterior circulation fusiform aneurysms, including pathogenesis, natural history, and endovascular treatment, including the role of flow diversion. In addition, the authors propose an algorithm for treatment based on their practice.


1993 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfredo E. Casasco ◽  
Armand Aymard ◽  
Y. Pierre Gobin ◽  
Emmanuel Houdart ◽  
André Rogopoulos ◽  
...  

✓ Seventy-one intracranial aneurysms were treated by endovascular techniques, with the placement of minicoils inside the aneurysmal sac. Most aneurysms were manifest by hemorrhage (67 cases), and 43 of these were treated within the first 3 days after presentation. At the 1-year follow-up examination, the outcome was scored as good in 84.5% of cases, but the morbidity and mortality rates were 4.2% and 11.3%, respectively. Twenty-nine aneurysms in the anterior circulation and 42 in the posterior circulation were treated. In this series, 23 patients were classified as Hunt and Hess neurological Grade I, 27 as Grade II, 12 as Grade III, nine as Grade IV, and none as Grade V. Thirty-three aneurysms were less than 10 mm in diameter, 28 were 10 to 25 mm, and 10 were larger than 25 mm. The preliminary results from this study appear to justify the emergency treatment of aneurysms by this approach. Aneurysms in the posterior circulation are particularly well suited for this type of surgery.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1621
Author(s):  
Riaan Zoetmulder ◽  
Praneeta R. Konduri ◽  
Iris V. Obdeijn ◽  
Efstratios Gavves ◽  
Ivana Išgum ◽  
...  

Final lesion volume (FLV) is a surrogate outcome measure in anterior circulation stroke (ACS). In posterior circulation stroke (PCS), this relation is plausibly understudied due to a lack of methods that automatically quantify FLV. The applicability of deep learning approaches to PCS is limited due to its lower incidence compared to ACS. We evaluated strategies to develop a convolutional neural network (CNN) for PCS lesion segmentation by using image data from both ACS and PCS patients. We included follow-up non-contrast computed tomography scans of 1018 patients with ACS and 107 patients with PCS. To assess whether an ACS lesion segmentation generalizes to PCS, a CNN was trained on ACS data (ACS-CNN). Second, to evaluate the performance of only including PCS patients, a CNN was trained on PCS data. Third, to evaluate the performance when combining the datasets, a CNN was trained on both datasets. Finally, to evaluate the performance of transfer learning, the ACS-CNN was fine-tuned using PCS patients. The transfer learning strategy outperformed the other strategies in volume agreement with an intra-class correlation of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.83–0.92) vs. 0.55 to 0.83 and a lesion detection rate of 87% vs. 41–77 for the other strategies. Hence, transfer learning improved the FLV quantification and detection rate of PCS lesions compared to the other strategies.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S76-S84
Author(s):  
Nimer Adeeb ◽  
Christopher S Ogilvy ◽  
Christoph J Griessenauer ◽  
Ajith J Thomas

Abstract Posterior circulation aneurysms are often associated with a higher risk of rupture and compressive symptoms compared to their anterior circulation counterpart. Due to high morbidity and mortality associated with microsurgical treatment of those aneurysms, endovascular therapy gained ascendance as the preferred method of treatment. Flow diversion has emerged as a promising treatment option for posterior circulation aneurysms with a higher occlusion rate compared to other endovascular techniques and a lower complication rate compared to microsurgery. While treatment of saccular and dissecting aneurysms is often associated with comparatively good outcomes, fusiform and dolichoectatic aneurysms should be carefully selected prior to treatment to avoid devastating thromboembolic complications. Occlusion of covered posterior circulation branches showed no correlation with ischemic complications, and appropriate antiplatelet regimen and switching Clopidogrel nonresponders to different antiplatelet agents were associated with lower complication rates following flow diversion of posterior circulation aneurysms.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaël Bruneau ◽  
Sepideh Amin-Hanjani ◽  
Päivi Koroknay-Pal ◽  
Philippe Bijlenga ◽  
Behnam Rezai Jahromi ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: Treatment of very small unruptured intracranial aneurysms (VSUIAs, defined as ⩽3 mm) can be indicated in selected circumstances. The feasibility and outcomes of endovascular therapy for VSUIAs have been recently published; however, the efficacy and complication rate of surgical clipping has not been reported in any large series to date. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a multicenter study to examine surgical outcomes for VSUIAs. METHODS: All consecutive patients undergoing surgery for a VSUIA in 4 neurosurgical centers between October 2001 and December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: In the study, 183 patients (128 women, mean age 51.3 years) were treated with 190 procedures for a total of 228 aneurysms. Most were anterior circulation aneurysms (n = 215). The majority were directly clipped (n = 222, 97.4%), with coagulation or wrapping in the remainder. After 1 reoperation for incomplete clipping, postoperative imaging of 225 aneurysms confirmed complete occlusion in 221 (98.2%), 1 neck remnant (0.44%), and 3 partial occlusions (1.3%). Mortality was 0%. Early postoperative neurological deficit developed in 12 patients (6.6%); posterior circulation location was a significant risk factor for early neurological deficit (P < .001). Middle cerebral artery aneurysms had the lowest rate of postoperative deficits at 1.5% (P = .023). After the initial 30-day perioperative period, all deficits related to treatment of posterior circulation aneurysms recovered; overall neurological morbidity decreased to 2.7% with no mortality. CONCLUSION: VSUIA clipping is highly effective and is associated with a low morbidity rate. For VSUIAs selected for treatment, our data support surgical clipping as the modality of choice.


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