Endovascular treatment of basilar artery trunk aneurysms with Guglielmi detachable coils: clinical experience with 41 aneurysms in 39 patients

Treatment of giant fusiform aneurysms of the basilar trunk with intra-aneurysmal and basilar artery coil embolization

OBJECTIVE

The authors report their experience in endovascular treatment of basilar artery (BA) trunk aneurysms by intra-aneurysmal and BA occlusion.

METHODS

Four patients were referred to our hospital from 1995 until 2002 with variable clinical presentations and radiologic appearances. All the patients were subjected for tolerability to balloon BA occlusion test to verify the collateral supply from the posterior communicating arteries. The patients were treated by intra-aneurysmal embolization together with basilar artery occlusion.

RESULTS

All the aneurysms were successfully isolated from the circulation. Transient postoperative neurologic deficits were constant findings in all the cases. Outcome was finally good for all the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular treatment of complex BA trunk aneurysm by intra-aneurysmal embolization and BA occlusion method is a valuable alternative for management and successful isolation in patients with good collateral arterial flow.

Giant Vertebrobasilar Aneurysms: Endovascular Treatment and Long-term Follow-up

OBJECTIVE:

To report long-term imaging follow-up and clinical outcome of 13 patients with a giant vertebrobasilar aneurysm treated by parent artery occlusion (PAO).

METHODS:

From 1994 to 2000, 13 consecutive patients with a giant vertebrobasilar aneurysm were treated by PAO. Symptoms were related to mass effect in nine patients and to a subarachnoid hemorrhage in four. Endovascular treatment consisted of aneurysm trapping in nine patients and occlusion of one or both vertebral arteries in four. We assessed the clinical outcome and imaging findings in all patients during a 28-month period.

RESULTS:

Endovascular treatment resulted in clinical improvements in eight patients, worsening of symptoms in four, and death in one. One woman with a ruptured vertebral aneurysm died from a rebleeding after PAO without trapping. One man developed a brainstem infarction after lower basilar artery occlusion and incurred hemiparesis. In three patients, symptoms of mass effect increased after the procedure. Long-term follow-up revealed good or excellent clinical outcome in all patients and a sharp decrease in size of the thrombosed aneurysm in nine patients. One basilar aneurysm recanalized despite selective coiling and subsequent bilateral vertebral artery occlusion; one vertebral aneurysm and one basilar aneurysm did not decrease in size despite complete occlusion.

CONCLUSION:

Giant vertebrobasilar aneurysms are rare and challenging lesions for both neurosurgeons and neurointerventionalists. Their treatment by endovascular PAO remains safe and effective. Early clinical worsening may be observed, but long-term follow-up shows good or excellent results in most patients. This treatment can be carried out with minimal morbidity and mortality using clinical and angiographic monitoring.

Delayed exacerbation of third nerve palsy due to aneurysmal regrowth after endovascular coil embolization

A 72-year-old woman with a painful left third cranial nerve palsy due to a basilar artery aneurysm situated between the superior cerebellar and posterior cerebral arteries was treated with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs). Despite a good initial angiographic result with a small residual neck and improvement in the ocular motility and pain, the patient experienced worsening of the third cranial nerve palsy 15 months later. Cerebral angiography confirmed coil compaction with aneurysmal regrowth. A second endovascular coil embolization resulted in complete obliteration of the aneurysm. The patient experienced complete resolution of the pain and partial resolution of the third cranial nerve palsy. In some patients, a small residual aneurysm neck after endovascular embolization therapy with GDCs can result in delayed aneurysmal regrowth due to coil compaction. Clinical manifestations may herald this dangerous regrowth.

Comparison of Endovascular and Surgical Treatment for Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysms with respect to Short and Long-Term Outcome

SUMMARY

We compared the treatment for ruptured aneurysms from the clinical and radiological follow-ups after endovascular (GDC) or surgical treatment. There were 142 surgically treated cases and 38 endovascular treated cases from May 1997 to December 2001. In endovascular cases there were four A-com, four MCA, 12 ICA and 18 posterior circulation aneurysms. In surgical cases, there were 53 A-com ACA, 51 MCA, 36 ICA and two posterior circulation aneurysms. The clinical outcomes of endovascular and surgical treatments were correlated with the H & H grades before treatments. At short stage, 71% of endovascular and 78.2% of surgical cases showed a favorable outcome (GOS GR or MD) (p=0.3). Long-term clinical follow ups (14.5 to 58 months) showed 77.7% of endovascular and 87.7% of surgical cases resulted in GR or MD (p=0.17). In endovascular cases, 22.2% showed recurrence during the follow-up period and five of them needed re-treatment. We experienced failed endovascular approach at acute stage in seven cases which changed to surgery. In conclusion, the short and long term clinical results of endovascular treatment were acceptable comparing surgical clipping. High recurrence rate after GDC treatment did not permit future completeness of the treatment. Still the treatment alternative between endovascular or surgical treatment may change depending on the criteria of each institution, attention should be paid to the disadvantages of endovascular treatment as the first choice for ruptured aneurysms.

Techniques and applications of transcatheter embolization procedures in pediatric cardiology

Transcatheter embolization of congenital or acquired superfluous vascular structure has become routine procedures performed by interventional pediatric cardiologists. Embolization procedure is often part of a collaborative effort with cardiac surgeons to palliate complex congenital heart defect, such as in embolizing aortopulmonary collateral arteries in patient with single ventricle physiology. In other cases, the procedure is the definitive treatment as in embolizing coronary artery fistula. Pediatric cardiologists performing embolization procedures should be familiar with available technologies as well as understand the underlying cardiac anatomy and pathophysiology. This article provides a comprehensive review of presently available embolization agents and technologies. Some of the technologies are used only by interventional radiologists but may be useful to pediatric cardiologists. Specific clinical applications in pediatric cardiology are also discussed with summary of current literature. With continue advancement in transcatheter technology and operator expertise, all unwanted vascular communication should be amenable to transcatheter embolization.

Matrix and bioabsorbable polymeric coils accelerate healing of intracranial aneurysms: long-term experimental study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Acceleration of intra-aneurysmal clot organization and fibrosis may be a solution to preventing aneurysm recanalization after endovascular treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term efficacy and long-term safety of the new Matrix coil system.

METHODS

Matrix coils consist of thin platinum coils covered with a bioabsorbable, polymeric material (polyglycolic acid/lactide). Fifty-two experimental aneurysms were created in 26 swine. All of the aneurysms were tightly packed with Matrix or Guglielmi detachable coils (GDC). Comparative angiographic and histopathologic data were analyzed at 2 weeks (n=14), 3 months (n=6), and 6 months (n=6) after embolization.

RESULTS

Three aneurysms treated with GDC ruptured despite tight packing. No recanalization or rupturing was observed in the aneurysms embolized with Matrix coils. At 14 days after embolization, the aneurysms treated with Matrix coils exhibited a more extensive area of organized thrombus when compared with the aneurysms treated with GDC (87% versus 75%, P=0.008, n=11). At 3 months, both Matrix and GDC-treated aneurysms demonstrated complete clot organization. Neck tissue thickness was higher in Matrix-treated aneurysms at 14 days and 3 months, but not at 6 months. No untoward parent artery stenosis was observed in aneurysms treated with Matrix during follow-up. The angiographic cross-sectional area of the Matrix-treated aneurysms was smaller than those treated with GDC at the 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Matrix accelerated aneurysm fibrosis and neointima formation without parent artery stenosis. The Matrix system might prevent aneurysmal recanalization after endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms.

Treatment of anterior communicating artery aneurysms: complementary aspects of microsurgical and endovascular procedures

OBJECT

Endovascular and surgical treatment must be clearly defined in the management of anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms. In this study the authors report their recent experience in using a combined surgical and endovascular team approach for ACoA aneurysms, and compare these results with those obtained during an earlier period in which surgical treatment was used alone. Morbidity and mortality rates, causes of unfavorable outcomes, and morphological results were also assessed.

METHODS

The prospective study included 223 patients who were divided into three groups: Group A (83 microsurgically treated patients, 1990-1995); Group B (103 microsurgically treated patients, 1996-2000); and Group C (37 patients treated with Guglielmi Detachable Coil [GDC] embolization, 1996-2000). Depending on the direction in which the aneurysm fundus projected, the authors attempted to apply microsurgical treatment to Type 1 aneurysms (located in front of the axis formed by the pericallosal arteries). They proposed the most adapted procedure for Type 2 aneurysms (located behind the axis of the pericallosal arteries) after discussion with the neurovascular team, depending on the physiological status of the patient, the treatment risk, and the size of the aneurysm neck. In accordance with the classification of Hunt and Hess, the authors designated those patients with unruptured aneurysms (Grade 0) and some patients with ruptured aneurysms (Grades I-III) as having good preoperative grades. Patients with Grade IV or V hemorrhages were designated as having poor preoperative grades. By performing routine angiography and computerized tomography scanning, the causes of unfavorable outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS] score < 5) and the morphological results (complete or incomplete occlusion) were analyzed. Overall, the clinical outcome was excellent (GOS Score 5) in 65% of patients, good (GOS Score 4) in 9.4%, fair (GOS Score 3) in 11.6%, poor (GOS Score 2) in 3.6%, and fatal in 10.3% (GOS Score 1). Among 166 patients in good preoperative grades, an excellent outcome was observed in 134 patients (80.7%). The combined permanent morbidity and mortality rate accounted for up to 19.3% of patients. The rates of permanent morbidity and death that were related to the initial subarachnoid hemorrhage were 6.2 and 1.5% for Group A, 6.6 and 1.3% for Group B, and 4 and 4% for Group C, respectively. The rates of permanent morbidity and death that were related to the procedure were 15.4 and 1.5% for Group A, 3.9 and 0% for Group B, and 8 and 8% for Group C, respectively. When microsurgical periods were compared, the rate of permanent morbidity or death related to microsurgical complications decreased significantly (Group A, 11 patients [16.9%] and Group B, three patients [3.9%]); Fisher exact test, p = 0.011) from the period of 1990 to 1995 to the period of 1996 to 2000. The combined rate of morbidity and mortality that was related to the endovascular procedure (16%) explained the nonsignificance of the different rates of procedural complications for the two periods, despite the significant decrease in the number of microsurgical complications. Among 57 patients in poor preoperative grade, an excellent outcome was observed in 11 patients (19.3%); however, permanent morbidity (GOS Scores 2-4) or death (GOS Score 1) occurred in 46 patients (80.7%). With regard to the correlation between vessel occlusion (the primary microsurgical complication) and the morphological characteristics of aneurysms, only the direction in which the fundus projected appeared significant as a risk factor for the microsurgically treated groups (Fisher exact test: Group A, p = 0.03; Group B, p = 0.002). The difference between endovascular and microsurgical procedures in the achievement of complete occlusion was considered significant (chi2 = 6.13, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The direction in which the fundus projects was chosen as the morphological criterion between endovascular and surgical methods. The authors propose that microsurgical clip application should be the preferred option in the treatment of ACoA aneurysms with anteriorly directed fundi and that endovascular packing be selected for those lesions with posteriorly directed fundi, depending on morphological criteria.

Late recurrence of subarachnoid hemorrhage due to regrowth of aneurysm after neck clipping surgery

Late recurrence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to regrowth of aneurysm after neck clipping surgery occurred in four patients. Two patients underwent surgical treatment, and two patients received endovascular treatment. Endovascular treatment was successful in one case, but emergent surgery was necessary for the other case because of possible pseudoaneurysm formation. Postoperative course of all patients was excellent. Late recurrence of SAH can occur even after complete clipping, and further treatment should be considered.

Guglielmi detachable coil embolization of posterior circulation aneurysms: a systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Early multicenter trials of Guglielmi detachable coil embolization of posterior circulations aneurysms have been followed by the publication of numerous single-center experiences. Summary of Review- We performed a MEDLINE literature search and extracted data from single-center reports containing at least 10 posterior circulation aneurysms. Twelve reports (495 aneurysms) were specific to the posterior circulation. Eighty-two percent of aneurysms arose near the basilar apex. Eighty-one percent of patients harbored unruptured aneurysms or presented in good clinical condition. Sixty-three percent of lesions were small, and 41% exhibited a narrow neck. Coil deposition was achieved in 97.6% of cases. Procedural complication and morbidity rates were 12.5% and 5.1%, respectively. Procedural and 30-day mortality rates were 1.4% and 6.7%, respectively. Complete aneurysm occlusion was achieved in 47.6%, near-complete occlusion (90% to 99%) in 43.4%, and incomplete occlusion in 9.0% of cases. There were a total of 52 recurrences (22.2%) in a subset of 234 evaluable patients. Ninety-two percent of these aneurysms exhibited wide necks. The annual risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage after embolization was 0.8%. Eighty-five percent of patients achieved functional independence, while only 5.3% lived dependent lifestyles. The overall mortality rate was 9.8%.

CONCLUSIONS

The published literature approximates a large series of basilar apex aneurysms. Embolization is moderately effective in completely excluding an aneurysm from the posterior circulation. The incidence of recurrence in wide-neck aneurysms and incompletely coiled aneurysms is substantial. Coil embolization is effective in preventing early rebleeding. Its role in the treatment of unruptured aneurysms remains unclear.