Midterm Outcomes of Embolisation of Internal Iliac Artery Aneurysms

Retrograde embolization of internal iliac artery aneurysms that enlarged after proximal ligation: A report of 5 patients

The transarterial approach is generally feasible for endovascular treatment of internal iliac artery aneurysms (IIAAs). However, this approach becomes difficult in patients who have undergone exclusion surgery (proximal ligation). We report our experience of performing transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) using a retrograde approach from the deep femoral artery (DFA) for IIAAs that had enlarged after exclusion surgery. This case series includes 5 male patients (mean age, 57 years; range, 66-81 years) who underwent TAE of IIAAs between March 2015 and March 2024. The procedures were performed at a mean of 47 months (range, 33-108 months) after aortoiliac repair. Preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) or CT during aortography was performed before TAE in all cases to evaluate the development of collateral pathways. TAE was performed via the DFA using a retrograde approach with coils and cyanoacrylate glue in all cases. The procedure was technically successful in all 5 patients (100%). Intra-aneurysmal packing and embolization of the branched vessel was performed in all cases. The follow-up ranged from 6 to 66 months. All patients developed gluteal claudication but no major complications occurred during the follow-up period. No cases of aneurysm dilatation have been recorded to date. In conclusion, retrograde TAE of excluded IIAAs was a feasible and effective treatment in these 5 patients, after evaluating the development of collateral pathways on pretreatment contrast-enhanced CT.

Percutaneous Retrograde Trans-Gluteal Embolization of Type 2 Endoleak Causing Iliac Aneurysm Enlargement after Endovascular Repair: Case Report and Literature Review

Late type II endoleaks (T2ELs) arising from the internal iliac artery (IIA) may present during follow-up after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) of aortoiliac aneurysm and may warrant embolization if enlargement of the aneurysmal sac is demonstrated. When coverage of the IIA ostium has been made due to extensive iliac disease, access options can be challenging. Different treatment options have been reported over recent years, and a careful selection of the best one must be made based on the characteristics of each case. The present study reports a simple and reproducible sheathless percutaneous superior gluteal artery (SGA) access and provides a discussion based on a review of the existing literature on this topic.

Guidelines on the diagnosis, treatment and management of visceral and renal arteries aneurysms: a joint assessment by the Italian Societies of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (SICVE) and Medical and Interventional Radiology (SIRM)

The objective of these Guidelines is to provide recommendations for the classification, indication, treatment and management of patients suffering from aneurysmal pathology of the visceral and renal arteries. The methodology applied was the GRADE-SIGN version, and followed the instructions of the AGREE quality of reporting checklist. Clinical questions, structured according to the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome) model, were formulated, and systematic literature reviews were carried out according to them. Selected articles were evaluated through specific methodological checklists. Considered Judgments were compiled for each clinical question in which the characteristics of the body of available evidence were evaluated in order to establish recommendations. Overall, 79 clinical practice recommendations were proposed. Indications for treatment and therapeutic options were discussed for each arterial district, as well as follow-up and medical management, in both candidate patients for conservative therapy and patients who underwent treatment. The recommendations provided by these guidelines simplify and improve decision-making processes and diagnostic-therapeutic pathways of patients with visceral and renal arteries aneurysms. Their widespread use is recommended.

Giant Hypogastric Aneurysm Induced by Type-II Endoleak Presenting 4 Years after Endovascular Repair: A Case Report

Bilateral isolated hypogastric aneurysm (HA) is a rare type of abdominal aneurysm. Endovascular repair has become predominant compared with surgical repair because of its minimal invasiveness. However, type-II endoleak after procedure may lead to continuous enlargement of HA and rupture. Herein, we report a rare case involving a very large HA induced by type-II endoleak after endovascular repair. A 68-year-old male patient underwent endovascular repair of bilateral isolated HAs 4 years ago. Stent grafts were used to block the orifices of bilateral HAs, and main distal outflows were embolized with coils. In the absence of a 4-year follow-up, he returned to the clinic with symptoms of lower abdominal pain and frequent urination. Computer tomography angiography revealed a giant left HA with a maximum diameter of 18 cm combined with the enlargement of the left common iliac artery (CIA) induced by type-II endoleak. The right isolated HA decreased from 5.5 cm to 3 cm. Angiography was performed, and multiple arteries from the middle sacral and external iliac arteries were detected as the sources of type-II endoleak. Considering the compression effect, surgical repair of the left giant HA was performed. Thrombus was removed from the giant aneurysm, and the distal outflows of HA were sutured. As the left CIA was enlarged, a prosthetic graft was interposed through the inner side of the previous cover stent to revascularize the external iliac artery. The patient had an uneventful postoperative clinical course and was discharged from the hospital 7 days after operation. Treatments of HA induced by type-II endoleak require regular patient follow-ups to monitor specific conditions, particularly the embolization of distal outflows. Surgical repair remains the first choice for HA with compression symptoms.

Embolization of a Previously Excluded Symptomatic Internal Iliac Aneurysm Through the Iliac Vein

A 69-year-old man was referred urgently for a 58-mm enlarging painful right internal iliac artery (IIA) aneurysm. Since exclusion through proximal IIA coverage and distal IIA branches embolization had been previously performed, aneurysm sac puncture through the iliac vein was decided. The ipsilateral common femoral vein was antegradely punctured, and a 16.5 G Ross modified Colapinto needle from a transjugular intrahepatic access set was used to puncture the sac and fill the aneurysm with coils. Embolization of an IIA aneurysm through the iliac vein may represent an alternative when prior IIA aneurysm exclusion has been performed.

Midterm results of internal iliac artery aneurysm embolization

OBJECTIVE

We describe the immediate and midterm results of endovascular treatment of isolated internal iliac artery aneurysms (IIAA).

METHODS

This was a retrospective single center study. From 2005 to 2014, data from 20 consecutive patients who had an embolisation for an isolated atherosclerotic internal iliac artery aneurysm underwent an endovascular treatment. We retrospectively evaluated the technical aspects and outcomes.

RESULTS

The mean aneurysm diameter was 42mm (range 30-97mm). No perioperative deaths or treatment failures occurred. No endoleaks or secondary aneurysm ruptures were observed during the follow-up. Three patients experienced disabling buttock claudication, which was spontaneously remissive in two cases. No relationship was found between buttock claudication and the patency of the contralateral internal iliac artery and the deep femoral artery. Six patients (30%) died during follow-up. Among these, three patients died due to cardiovascular events. The mean follow-up interval was 24 months (range 6-96 months).

CONCLUSION

The endovascular treatment of isolated internal iliac artery aneurysm is safe in the short-term and could prevent secondary aneurysm rupture at midterm.

Successful off-label use of the GORE EXCLUDER Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis to preserve gluteal perfusion during staged endovascular repair of bilateral isolated hypogastric aneurysms

Endovascular repair of iliac artery aneurysms has emerged as an alternative to traditional open surgical repair. Although there is little consensus on indications to preserve hypogastric blood flow during aneurysm repair, it is well understood that complications from bilateral hypogastric occlusion may be significant. The GORE EXCLUDER Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis (W. L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) received United States Food and Drug Administration approval in March 2016 for treatment of common iliac artery and aortoiliac aneurysms. This case report discusses an off-label use of GORE EXCLUDER Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis to maintain pelvic perfusion during treatment of bilateral internal iliac artery aneurysms without surrounding aortoiliac pathology.

Technical and outcome considerations of endovascular treatment for internal iliac artery aneurysms

PURPOSE

This study was designed to analyze the outcomes of endovascular treatment for internal iliac artery aneurysm (IIAA) at mid-term follow-up.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 33 patients (28 males, mean age 77.4 years) who underwent endovascular treatment of 35 IIAAs (mean diameter 39.8 mm) from 2002 to 2012. We attempted to completely and selectively embolize all distal branches with permanent embolic materials, followed by proximal controls either by stent-graft placement (type 1) or coil embolization (type 2).

RESULTS

Procedural success rate was 97.1% (n = 34). Complete permanent distal branches embolization was achieved in 27 (79.4%), type 1 in 24 (70.6%), and type 2 in 10 (29.4%) cases. During mean follow-up period of 29.1 months (range, 1.2-92.8), no IIAA-related mortality and stent/stent-graft related complications occurred. Pelvic ischemia occurred and resolved in 8 (25%) patients. Among 32 cases followed by CT, the aneurysm diameter was stable in 18 (56.3%), shrank in 11 (34.4%), and enlarged in 3 (9.4%) cases. In 22 assessed by contrast-enhanced CT, secondary endoleak occurred in 3 (13.6%) cases and 2 required secondary interventions (2/32, 6.3%). Type 1 procedure tends to have better mid-term outcomes. Incomplete permanent distal branches embolization was associated with enlargement and secondary intervention (p = 0.007 and p = 0.042, respectively). The secondary intervention-free rate at 3 years in the complete and incomplete distal embolization group was 100 and 83.3%, respectively (p = 0.128).

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular treatment for IIAA is feasible and safe. Complete permanent distal branches embolization is important to achieve satisfactory mid-term outcomes.