In the present study, the SWS and covered-stent techniques effectively prevented rebleeding and regrowth of the BBA without sacrifice of the ICA. The SWS and covered-stent techniques can be considered an alternative treatment option for BBAs in selected patients in whom ICA sacrifice is not feasible. Stent-assisted coiling alone seems insufficient to prevent BBA regrowth.

Background and Purpose-The incidence and risk factors for recurrence after endovascular treatment of intracranial vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms (VBDAs) have not been studied. We aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for recurrence after endovascular treatment of VBDAs. Methods-A total of 111 patients (mean age, 45Ϯ10 years) underwent endovascular treatment for 119 VBDAs (ruptured/unrupturedϭ73:46). Incidence and risk factors for recurrence were retrospectively evaluated. Results-Sixty-two VBDAs were treated by a reconstructive technique by using 1 to 3 overlapping stents with or without coiling, and 57 VBDAs were treated by a deconstructive technique by using proximal occlusion or internal trapping at the dissected segment of the parent artery. Follow-up angiography was available for 97 VBDAs (81.5%) in 89 patients at 3 days to 48 months (median, 13 months) after treatment. There were 13 recurrences: 6 had rebleeding but 7 had no rebleeding. All 6 hemorrhagic recurrences had initially presented with a ruptured form. Ten recurrences were confirmed by angiography, but 3 recurrences with rebleeding did not receive follow-up angiography. The rate of post-treatment recurrence did not differ between reconstructive and deconstructive treatments. Involvement of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery origin (odds ratioϭ8.026; 95% confidence interval, 1.561 to 41.259; Pϭ0.013) was the only independent risk factor for recurrence. Conclusions-There was a 13% recurrence after endovascular treatment of VBDAs. Posterior inferior cerebellar artery origin involvement was the only independent risk factor for recurrence after endovascular treatment of VBDAs. (Stroke. 2011;42:2425-2430.)

Clinical outcomes for siu-VBD were favorable in all patients without ischemic symptoms and in most patients with ischemic presentation. None of the siu-VBD caused subarachnoid hemorrhage. Old age and BA involvement were independent predictors of unfavorable outcome in siu-VBD with ischemic presentation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Little has been known about the clinical and angiographic follow-up results of stent-only therapy for intracranial vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms (VBDA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, clinical, and angiographic follow-up of stent-only therapy for VBDA.

No abstract

The endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms with coils poses significant technical challenges, particularly with respect to wide-necked aneurysms. We present the results of our initial experiences in using a stent for endovascular treatment of aneurysms, with an emphasis on potential applications, technical aspects, and associated complications. Twenty-three wide-necked aneurysms from 22 patients were treated during the 13-month study period. Seven patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Aneurysms were located at the internal carotid artery (n=14), the vertebral artery (n=3), the basilar artery (n=5), and the middle cerebral artery (n=1). A Neuroform stent2 was used for stent-assisted procedures. Premedication with antithrombotic agents was available for unruptured cases. Postprocedural antithrombotic medication was prescribed for all patients. Nineteen aneurysms were primarily stented, followed by coil placement. For five of these aneurysms, stenting was performed subsequent to failure of an attempt to frame with an initial coil. Stenting for the remaining four aneurysms was performed as a rescue procedure to prevent the migration of previously placed coils. Complete occlusion was obtained in ten aneurysms, nearly complete occlusion (95% or more occluded) in 11 aneurysms, and partial occlusion (less than 95% occluded) in one aneurysm. In one aneurysm, we failed to navigate the microcatheter into the aneurysmal sac through the interstices of the stent. Stent thrombosis was noted during the procedure in one patient. Hemorrhagic complication on the 25th day after the procedure was noted in one patient. No procedure-related complications were observed during the procedure or during follow-up in the remaining 20 patients, including seven patients who did not receive antithrombotic agents prior to endovascular treatment owing to recent subarachnoid hemorrhage. To overcome the technical limitation in the coiling of wide-necked aneurysms, stent-assisted coil embolization may be a technically feasible and relatively safe method, even though longer periods of follow-up are required.

The SAC-SWS technique seems to be a feasible and effective reconstructive treatment option for a ruptured VBA-DA. The technique may be considered as an alternative therapeutic option in selected patients with ruptured VBA-DAs unsuitable for internal trapping of the parent artery.

Thin-section noncontrast CT (NCT) can detect thrombi in large arteries and can provide a measure of thrombus composition based on Hounsfield Units (HU). A study using polyethylene tubes as a model of intracranial arteries concluded that the HUs of platelet-rich thrombi are lower than those of erythrocyte-rich thrombi. Thrombus HUs were measured by NCT in 34 patients with acute ischemic stroke before thrombolysis. Thrombi with lower HU counts were resistant to thrombolytics.