A Ruptured Blood Blister-Like Aneurysm that Experienced Regrowth with Coil Compaction Twice in a Month : Case Report

Unlike other aneurysms, blood blister-like aneurysms(BBA) occur at non-branching sites, are commonly located at the dorsal wall of the supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA), and are suspected to arise from dissecting aneurysms. They are typically diagnosed after a bleed because of their small size and unusual site. Therefore, lesions exist after brain computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, but they are often not found. In the case of BBA, which have a high risk of recurrence, the treatment is difficult, and selecting the treatment method is also challenging. This paper describes the treatment of a BBA with internal trapping of the ICA that eventually recurred despite performing coil embolization twice.

Unruptured Intradural Posterior Circulation Dissecting/Fusiform Aneurysms Natural History and Treatment Outcome

Background The natural history and outcome of unruptured posterior circulation dissecting fusiform aneurysms is not fully understood. These have a high risk of morbidity and mortality, not only due to natural history but also due to the challenging and controversial treatment approaches currently available compared to other types of intracranial aneurysms. Methods We performed a retrospective study of a prospectively collected aneurysm database at a quaternary neurovascular hospital. We included consecutive patients with unruptured intradural vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms between January 2000 and July 2016 who were followed to 2020. Description of baseline, procedural, and outcomes data was performed. Comparisons of patient who had aneurysm rupture on follow-up, increase in 2 or more points of mRS in follow-up and progression of the aneurysm was performed. Results Seventy patients with 78 fusiform posterior circulation aneurysms were identified. Thirty-nine (55.7%) patients were male with a mean age of 51.7 years (SD ± 17.6). When multiple, aneurysms were more likely to be fusiform (60%) than saccular (40.0%). Baseline diameter (measured on CTA/MRA/DSA), length as well as symptomatic presentation were significantly higher in aneurysms which grew over time. Coronary disease, diabetes and growth were associated an >2 increase in mRS. Diabetes as well as initial symptomatic presentation were associated with rupture. Conclusions Unruptured dissecting/fusiform aneurysm are associated with a considerable rate of rupture during follow-up. Growth is associated with morbidity even in the absence of rupture. Initial large size, coronary disease, diabetes, and to a lesser extent female gender may merit closer follow-up and/or prophylactic treatment.

Vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms: microsurgical management in 42 patients

OBJECTIVE Vertebrobasilar dissecting (VBD) aneurysms are rare, and patients with these aneurysms often present with thromboembolic infarcts or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The morphological nature of VBD aneurysms often precludes conventional clip reconstruction or coil placement and encourages parent artery exclusion or endovascular stenting. Treatment considerations include aneurysm location along the vertebral artery (VA), the involvement of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA), and collateral blood flow. Outcomes after endovascular treatment have been well described in the neurosurgical literature, but microsurgical outcomes have not been detailed. Patient outcomes from a large, single-surgeon, consecutive series of microsurgically managed VBD aneurysms are presented, and 3 illustrative case examples are provided. METHODS The medical records of patients with dissecting aneurysms affecting the intracranial VA (V4), basilar artery, and PICA that were treated microsurgically over a 19-year period were reviewed. Patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, surgical procedures, and clinical outcomes (according to modified Rankin Scale [mRS] scores at last follow-up) were analyzed. RESULTS Forty-two patients with 42 VBD aneurysms were identified. Twenty-six aneurysms (62%) involved the PICA, 14 (33%) were distinct from the PICA origin on the V4 segment of the VA, and 2 (5%) were located at the vertebrobasilar junction. Thirty-four patients (81%) presented with SAH with a mean Hunt and Hess grade of 3.2 at presentation. Six (14%) of the 42 patients had been previously treated using endovascular techniques. Nineteen aneurysms (45%) underwent clip wrapping, 17 (40%) were treated with bypass trapping, and 6 (14%) underwent parent artery sacrifice. The complete aneurysm obliteration rate was 95% (n = 40), and the surgical complication rate was 7% (n = 3). The 8 patients with unruptured VBD aneurysms were significantly more likely to be discharged home (n = 6, 75%) compared with 34 patients with ruptured aneurysms (n = 9, 27%; p = 0.01). Good outcomes (mRS score ≤ 2) were observed in 20 patients (48%). Eight patients (19%) died. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that patients with VBD aneurysms often present after a rupture in poor neurological condition, but favorable results can be achieved with open microsurgical repair in almost half of such cases. Microsurgery remains a viable treatment option, with the choice between bypass trapping and clip wrapping largely dictated by the specific location of the aneurysm and its relationship to the PICA.

Predictors of unfavorable outcome in stent-assisted coiling for symptomatic unruptured intracranial spontaneous vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (uis-VADAs): results from a multicenter study

ObjectiveTo evaluate predictors of unfavorable outcome in stent-assisted coiling for symptomatic unruptured intracranial spontaneous vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (uis-VADAs) based on 608 reconstructed lesions in 30 medical centres.MethodsA total of 608 patients (male:female=479:129; mean age, 53.26±10.26 years) with 608 symptomatic uis-VADAs underwent reconstructive treatments using stent(s) with coils between January 2009 and December 2015. Treatments and predictors of unfavorable outcomes were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsMainly, three methods were used to treat patients with uis-VADAs, including routine single-stent in 208 patients (such as Enterprise and others), new low-profile LVIS single stent in 107 patients, and multiple stents in 293 patients. During the median 66 months of clinical follow-up, 14 patients died, and 16 of the remaining 594 survivors had unfavorable outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score 3–5). The overall mortality rate was 2.3% (14/608), and the unfavorable outcome (mRS score 3–6) rate was 4.9% (30/608). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that preprocedural ischemic infarctions (OR=3.78; 95% CI 1.52 to 9.40; p<0.01), diabetes mellitus (OR=3.74; 95% CI 1.31 to 10.68; p=0.01), and procedural complications (OR=14.18; 95% CI 5.47 to 36.80; p<0.01) were predictors of unfavorable outcome in the reconstructed VADAs.ConclusionsThis multicenter study indicated that preprocedural ischemic infarctions, diabetes mellitus, and procedural complications were related to unfavorable clinical outcomes in the reconstructed uis-VADAs.

Abstract 1122‐000152: Flow Diverter Use in Acutely Presented Dissecting Aneurysms, 2 Years Follow Up of 53 Cases

Introduction : Acute dissecting aneurysms are among the uncommon causes of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Established endovascular treatment options include parent artery occlusion and stent‐assisted coiling, but appear to be associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. reconstruction of the vessels with flow diverters is an alternative therapeutic option. Methods : This is a retrospective analysis of 53 consecutive acutely ruptured dissecting aneurysms treated with flow diverters. The primary end point was favorable aneurysm occlusion, defined as OKM C1‐3 and D . Secondary end points were procedure‐related complications and clinical outcome. Results : 23 aneurysms (43.4%%) arose from the intradural portion of the vertebral artery, 10 (18.8%) were located on the posterior inferior cerebellar artery and 3 (5.6%) posterior cerebral artery, 7 (13.2%) MCA, (18.8%) ICA . 45 aneurysms presented by SAH while 8 presented by Ischemic manifestation. Flow diverter placement was technically successful in all cases . immediate postoperative rerupture occurred in two case (3.7%), thromboembolic complications in 3 cases (5.7%). Median clinical follow‐up was 640 days and median angiographic follow‐up was 690 days. ten patients (18.9%) with poor‐grade subarachnoid hemorrhage died in the acute phase. Favorable clinical outcome (modified Rankin scale ≤2) was observed in 27 of 53 patients (51%) and a moderate outcome (modified Rankin scale 3/4) was observed in 12 of 53 patients (22.6%). All aneurysms showed complete occlusion at follow‐up. Conclusions : Flow diverters might be a feasible, alternative treatment option for acutely symptomatic dissecting aneurysms and may effectively prevent rebleeding in ruptured aneurysms.

Pipeline Embolization Device for the Treatment of Unruptured Intracranial Dissecting Aneurysms

Background: Intracranial dissecting aneurysms (IDAs) are rare but pose significant challenges to treatment. The pipeline embolization device (PED) has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment option with excellent outcomes. Herein, we report our experience with patients treated with the PED for unruptured IDAs.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our hospital database and identified patients who were treated with PEDs for unruptured IDAs between March 2016 and September 2020. Data including demographics, clinical presentation, aneurysm characteristics, procedural details, intra- or peri-procedural complications, and follow-up details were collected.Results: Eighty patients (61 men, 76.25%) were treated with PED for unruptured IDAs. The most common symptoms were headache (34, 42.5%), dizziness (29, 36.25%), and nausea or vomiting (15, 18.75%). Of these patients, 73 had one aneurysm, and seven harbored two aneurysms. All of them achieved successful PED deployment. Six patients experienced intra- or peri-procedural complications including perforator artery occlusion, thromboembolic, hemorrhagic events, and falling of the stent into the aneurysm sac. Follow-up with digital subtractive angiography was available for 29 patients with a median of 6 months, and 28 (96.56%) patients had aneurysm occlusion. Late thrombosis occurred in four patients, and two of them had unfavorable outcomes. Clinical follow-up showed that a favorable clinical outcome was achieved in 76 (95%) patients, and the mortality rate was 3.75%.Conclusion: Treating unruptured IDAs is safe and effective with long-term favorable clinical and angiographic outcomes. However, the complications of this treatment should be noted. Careful selection of appropriate patients and individualized antiplatelet therapy might be needed.

Radical treatment of ruptured dissecting aneurysm on the P1 segment with monotherapy using multiple LVIS stents

The standard endovascular treatment for ruptured dissecting aneurysm is a parent artery occlusion. However, this treatment is unsuitable when the artery of the lesion gives off perforating vessels that supply blood to critical regions or when the collateral flow cannot be expected due to the sacrifice of the parent artery. Here, we present an infrequent case of ruptured dissecting aneurysm on P1 segment of the posterior cerebral artery. The aneurysm had little sac for coiling and the artery of the lesion had some perforator branches; thus, we selected the monotherapy with three overlapping low-profile visualised intraluminal support stents as radical treatment, which resulted in prompt obliteration of the aneurysm. The patient was fully recovered at 3 months after the procedure. Previous studies have reported the effectiveness of multiple stents alone for dissecting aneurysms, whereas this case showed that overlapping stents may also be effective on the P1 segment.

Deconstructive versus reconstructive endovascular approaches for intracranial dissecting aneurysms

Background The annual incidence of the intracranial dissecting aneurysms is about 1 to 1.5 per 100,000. This is a well-known cause of stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage in young and middle-aged patients (Santos-Franco et al. in Neurosurg Rev, 2008. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10143-008-0124-x). Various surgical and endovascular treatment methods have been proposed for intracranial dissecting aneurysms. All treatment methods aim to reduce the blood flow in the dissected region. Deconstructive techniques sacrifice the parent artery, whereas reconstructive techniques aim to maintain a parent artery (Stéphanie et al. in Lancet Neurol 14(6):640–654, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(15)00009-5). Due to its dissecting nature, wall friability can make surgical clipping difficult and even risky. On the other hand, recanalization after coiling alone is almost certain. Therefore, deconstructive modalities of treatment like trapping or parent vessel occlusion, performed either surgically or endovascularly, have predominated for managing those lesions, usually with good results. Nevertheless, in absence of efficient collateral pathways, the deconstructive technique carries an ischemic risk. In situations in which parent artery preservation is mandatory, the use of stent-assisted techniques may be the most appropriate choice (de Barros Faria et al. in Am J Neuroradiol 32(11):2192–2195, 2011. https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A2671). However, the usage of stent with recently ruptured aneurysms is always perplexing due to the necessity of dual antiplatelet administration. Hence the management of dissecting aneurysms remain challenging. Results Between January 2017 and July 2019, 19 patients presenting with intracranial dissecting aneurysms were referred to our department for endovascular treatment. Among the nineteen patients, 11 cases were treated by parent artery occlusion representing 57.9% of the cases, and 7 cases (36.8%) were treated by artery preserving technique, and only one case (5.3%) was treated by combination of parent artery occlusion and artery preserving technique. One week after the intervention 26.3% of patients had no disability (mRS = 0), 47.4% had no significant disability (mRS = 1), 15.8% had slight disability (mRS = 2) and 10.5% had moderate to severe disability (mRS = 3–4). After three months we found an overall improvement of the clinical outcome, as 57.9% of patients had no disability (mRS = 0), 26.3% had no significant disability (mRS = 1) and 15.8% had mild disability (mRS = 2). Finally, after six months reassessment with angiography showed that 89.5% of patients had stable aneurysmal occlusion, and 10.5% had recurrence of aneurysm. Conclusions Both endovascular approaches, whether parent artery occlusion or artery preserving technique showed favorable outcome which indicates the safety and efficacy of both approaches if selected properly according to the morphology of the aneurysm.