λ stenting: a novel technique for posterior communicating artery aneurysms with fetal-type posterior communicating artery originating from the aneurysm dome

The Lambda stenting technique: a new approach to address EUS-guided biliary drainage-associated adverse events

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) has been performed increasingly worldwide, especially in patients with malignant tumors in which ERCP is difficult, patients with surgically altered GI tracts, and older patients who are at high risk for surgery. EUS-BD requires high-level skills and has limited options for managing adverse events, particularly when stent migration and cholangitis occur. Adverse events, such as persistent bile leakage from the fistula and continuous reflux from the GI tract, are believed to always have a risk of severe exacerbation that could threaten the patient's life.

METHODS

We encountered 2 cases of stent migrations and 1 case with repeated cholangitis in patients with malignant tumors among the patients who underwent EUS-BD. The migrated stent was visualized under EUS in 2 patients with stent migration, and an EUS-guided FNA needle was used to puncture the mesh of the stent. The cannulation catheter was directly inserted into the mesh of the stent in 1 case with repeated retrograde cholangitis, while the stent was visualized with an endoscope. Subsequently, a guidewire was inserted through the puncture site, and a second metal stent was deployed between the meshes of the first stent, bridging the GI wall again (Lambda stenting technique). All procedures were performed with the patient under general anesthesia, and the patients safely completed the intervention.

RESULTS

Patients' conditions significantly improved after the second stent insertion, allowing for chemotherapy resumption while maintaining their activities of daily living. The second stent remained in place without any migration, and the stent successfully prevented further cholangitis.

CONCLUSIONS

The Lambda stenting technique is considered highly effective for managing stent migration and repeated cholangitis, which is a major EUS-BD adverse event. This procedure helps avoid more invasive surgeries when stent migration and cholangitis occur and contributes to expanding EUS-BD applicability.

FRED flow diversion with LVIS protection of large posterior communicating artery aneurysm: the "FRELVIS" technique

Treatment of wide-necked posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysms is extremely challenging, especially in fetal posterior cerebral artery (PCA) configurations. This technical video demonstrates the nuances of an innovative use of flow diversion to treat a recurrent wide-necked PCoA aneurysm. This middle-aged patient presented with recurrence of a previously ruptured, coil-embolized PCoA aneurysm. Initial attempts at Comaneci-assisted coiling were unsuccessful because the coil herniated into the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Therefore, a low-profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) was placed in the fetal PCA across the aneurysm ostium and a flow diverter was placed in the internal carotid artery and MCA to constitute a Y-construct. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2022.7.FOCVID2262.