Treatment options of ruptured vertebrobasilar fusiform aneurysms (VFA) are limited and often carry significant mortality and morbidity. We report the use of Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) to successfully treat a patient with a ruptured vertebrobasilar fusiform aneurysm (VFA) who presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A 73 year-old man with a history of cardiac stent placement seven days earlier presented with Hunt-Hess II SAH. He was taking aspirin and clopidogrel. Computed tomography angiogram revealed a large vertebrobasilar fusiform aneurysm. Microsurgical treatment options are technically challenging and carry high risk. He underwent endovascular treatment of the ruptured VFA using overlapping PEDs. Five PEDs were placed in a telescoping fashion to reconstruct the affected portions of the left vertebral and basilar arteries. An additional 2-mm blister aneurysm in the right vertebral artery was also discovered during the conventional cerebral angiography and was treated with one additional PED. The patient remained neurologically intact after the procedure. He was continued on aspirin and clopidogrel. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging at three months demonstrated patency of the stents without any evidence of ischemic change. Follow-up conventional cerebral angiogram at six months demonstrated thrombosis of the VFA and reconstruction of the vertebrobasilar system. The patient remained clinically well. An endovascular approach using PEDs can be a safe and effective treatment option for ruptured VFA in selected cases.
Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, Ruptured ; Aspirin ; Basilar Artery ; Blister ; Cerebral Angiography ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Stents ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Thrombosis ; Ticlopidine ; Vertebral Artery ; Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency

Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) diversion is frequently required in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage who develop subsequent hydrocephalus. Procedures such as external ventricular drain (EVD) and ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) usually carry a very low rate of complications. However, as flow diverting stents such as Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) become more widely available, flow diverters are being used in treatment of some ruptured complex aneurysms. EVD and VPS placement in the setting of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT) in these patients are associated with a significant risk of intracranial hemorrhage. We describe a management strategy and surgical technique that can minimize hemorrhagic complications associated with VPS in patients on DAT after treatment with flow diverting stents.
Aneurysm* ; Blister* ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Stents ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt*

PURPOSE: Sometimes, intracranial pathology in the distal vasculature cannot be accessed by standard endovascular techniques because of occlusion or insurmountable tortuosity of theinternal carotid artery (ICA). A trans-sphenoidal surgical approach can follow a similar trajectory to the course of the supraclinoid ICA. This study evaluates the feasibility of a trans-sphenoidal approach to the supraclinoid ICA for endovascular access. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a fresh cadaver head, the sphenoid sinus was dissected through a trans-sphenoidal route. Bone over the carotid prominence was removed to expose the ICA. The artery was catheterized using the Seldinger technique, and three-dimensional digital subtraction angiography was performed to evaluate the procedure. RESULTS: The catheter was successfully inserted into the supraclinoid ICA via the trans-sphenoidal route. Three-dimensional radiographic reconstruction confirmed placement of the catheter and the trajectory of the sheath into the supraclinoid ICA. CONCLUSION: While the trans-sphenoidal route has innumerable disadvantages over the standard endovascular access techniques, this route could be considered when other treatment options are too risky or impractical.
Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Arteries ; Cadaver ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Catheters ; Endovascular Procedures ; Head ; Sphenoid Sinus

PURPOSE: We investigated whether a 3D overlay roadmap using monoplane fluoroscopy offers advantages over a conventional 2D roadmap using biplane fluoroscopy during endovascular aneurysm treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted for 131 consecutive cerebral aneurysm embolizations by three neurointerventionalists at a single institution. Allowing for a transition period, the periods from January 2012 to August 2012 (Time Period 1) and February 2013 to July 2013 (Time Period 2) were analyzed for radiation exposure, contrast administration, fluoroscopy time, procedure time, angiographic results, and perioperative complications. Two neurointerventionalists (Group 1) used a conventional 2D roadmap for both Time Periods, and one neurointerventionalist (Group 2) transitioned from a 2D roadmap during Time Period 1 to a 3D overlay roadmap during Time Period 2. RESULTS: During Time Period 2, Group 2 demonstrated reduced fluoroscopy time (p<0.001), procedure time (P=0.023), total radiation dose (p=0.001), and fluoroscopy dose (P=0.017) relative to Group 1. During Time Period 2, there was no difference of immediate angiographic results and procedure complications between the two groups. Through the transition from Time Period 1 to Time Period 2, Group 2 demonstrated decreased fluoroscopy time (p<0.001), procedure time (p=0.022), and procedure complication rate (p=0.041) in Time Period 2 relative to Time Period 1. CONCLUSION: The monoplane 3D overlay roadmap technique reduced fluoroscopy dose and fluoroscopy time during neurointervention of cerebral aneurysms with similar angiographic occlusions and complications rate relative to biplane 2D roadmap, which implies possible compensation of limitations of monoplane fluoroscopy by 3D overlay technique.
Aneurysm ; Compensation and Redress ; Fluoroscopy ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Radiation Exposure ; Retrospective Studies

Progressive deconstruction is an endovascular technique for aneurysm treatment that utilizes flow diverting stents to promote progressive thrombosis by diverting blood flow away from the aneurysm's parent vessel. While the aneurysm thromboses, collateral blood vessels develop over time to avoid infarction that can often accompany acute parent vessel occlusion. We report a 37-year-old woman with a left distal posterior cerebral artery aneurysm that was successfully treated with this strategy. The concept and rationale of progressive deconstruction are discussed in detail.
Adult ; Aneurysm ; Blood Vessels ; Endovascular Procedures ; Female ; Humans ; Infarction ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Parents ; Posterior Cerebral Artery* ; Stents ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Thrombosis