OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility,safety and follow-up results of multiple stents parallel placement and reconstruction technique for treating giant vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms.

METHODSFive consecutive patients with giant fusiform vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms in Department of Neurology,Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital were retrospectively reviewed from April 2011 to October 2013. All patients were diagnosed vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms by MRI and digital subtraction angiography (DSA), the aneurysm size ranged 8.2-15.0 mm. All patients were treated by multiple stents parallel placement and reconstruction technique under general anesthesia. In the endovascular treatment process, 2-3 Solitaire or Neuroform self-expandable stents were parallel implanted in the maximum extension segment of the aneurysms to reconstruct the cavity of the aneurysm and solved the problem that the diameter of the intracranial stent is less than the diameter of the aneurysms. Multiple stents parallel placement can keep the stents stable in the cavity. The parallel stent can close the dissection as well as strengthen the aneurysm walls to alleviate the vessel pulsative compression of the brain stem. Furthermore, one of the parallel stents was selected for the main blood flow channel. Based on the main channel, telescope technique was used to completely covering the dissection. It can not only prevent the progress of dissection to normal regions, but also be helpful for blood flow channel reconstruction to reduce the hemodynamic disorders. All Patients received routine antiplatelet therapy before and after endovascular treatment.

RESULTSThe operative procedures were succeeded in all patients. Five patients were implanted 18 stents (3 stents in 3 patients; 4 stents in 1 patient; 5 stents in 1 patient; parallel 3 stents in 2 patients; parallel 2 stents in 3 patients). The signs and symptoms of brain stem and posterior group of cranial nerves improved significantly. All patients lived and worked normally and had no recurrent symptoms on follow-up of 6-24 months. All patients performed DSA reexamination at 6-12 months postoperation. The aneurysm size lessened in 2 patients and had no change in 3 patients.

CONCLUSIONSMultiple stents parallel placement and reconstruction technique for treating giant fusiform vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms is feasible and have good operation safety. It may control the dilatation of the aneurysm and reduce the probability of thrombosis or hemorrhage. It can improve the patients' clinical symptoms and quality of life in short term follow-up. The long term result need for further follow-up.

Aneurysm, Dissecting ; surgery ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; surgery ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome