Vertebral Artery Aneurysm Research Articles

Endovascular treatment of vertebrobasilar system aneurysms - long term results.

Microsurgical treatment of VBSA is complex and challenging due to the deep location of the vessels and the proximity of important structures. Therefore, minimally invasive endovascular techniques have been introduced to the treatment of VBSA. The aim of this study was to present long-term results and technical aspects of VBSA embolisation. In this manuscript, we describe our experience in the treatment of VBSA with long-term results. Furthermore, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this treatment modality, paying special attention to the technical aspects. We believe that this is an important contribution to this topic because the number of previous reports is limited. It adds to a population that can be compared to patients treated using different methods. We analysed the medical records of patients with aneurysms of vertebral and basilar arteries referred for endovascular treatment between 2015 and 2020. A total of 44 patients were selected for the study. From this group, 10 patients (22.7%) were admitted with SAH caused by ruptured VBSA. The median age of the patients was 58 years (31-80), with 27 (61.4%) females and 17 (38.6%) males. The majority of the VBSAs (35, 79.5%) were located on the basilar artery. Complete occlusion was achieved in 39 patients (88.6%). Procedural complications occurred in three cases (6.8%). In long-term follow-up, complete embolisation was achieved in 81.8% (36 of 44 patients). In 18.2% (eight patients), recurrence of VBSA was observed. Two patients were qualified for recoiling. Clinical follow-up was uneventful in 37 (84%) patients. Four patients (9%) reported mild headaches. Three (7%) patients required assistance for daily living. Endovascular embolisation of VBSA is feasible and provides an excellent rate of complete occlusion and a high rate of favourable long-term outcomes, which support using this technique as a first-line treatment. A relatively high rate of recurrence remains the major drawback, especially in cases of wide-neck VBSA.

Role of the Cervical Anterior Spinal Artery in the Endovascular Treatment of Vascular Diseases: Bystander, Accomplice, Victim, or Friend?

The cervical anterior spinal artery (ASA) is a very important artery arising from the intracranial vertebral artery (VA). It can play different roles in endovascular treatment (EVT) of spinal vascular diseases. The current understanding of these roles is incomplete; therefore, we performed this review. We found that cervical ASA can be involved in many spinal vascular diseases, such as arteriovenous fistula (AVF), arteriovenous malformation (AVM), and aneurysm, and can serve as a collateral channel in proximal VA occlusion. In AVF and AVM, when the cervical ASA is involved, it often plays the role of an accomplice or victim because it acts as the feeder or as a bystander that does not provide blood flow to the AVF and AVM. In cervical ASA aneurysm, the ASA is a victim. During EVT of VA aneurysms or stenoses, the cervical ASA ostia can be covered or occluded, resulting in ASA ischemia. In this situation, the ASA is a victim. In VA occlusion or the subclavian steal phenomenon, the cervical ASA can serve as a collateral channel to provide blood flow to the posterior circulation. In this case, the ASA plays the role of a friend. According to the role of the cervical ASA in spinal vascular diseases, EVT should be determined “case by case.” Most importantly, when EVT is performed to treat these diseases, the cervical ASA axis must be preserved. Therefore, understanding the role of the cervical ASA in spinal vascular diseases is crucial.

The Intersection Between the Sternocleidomastoid and Splenius Capitis as the Anatomical Landmark to Facilitate Occipital Artery Harvest: A Retrospective Clinical Study

Occipital artery (OA)-posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) bypass is a challenging procedure and is not frequently performed owing to the difficulty of OA harvest. To facilitate harvest, the intersection between the sternocleidomastoid and splenius capitis (the OA triangle) is used as the anatomical landmark to identify the OA segment that carries the highest risk of damage. This clinical study aimed to demonstrate efficacy and safety of OA harvest using this landmark. The study included 18 patients who underwent OA harvest using the OA triangle as a landmark for treatment of vertebral artery and PICA aneurysms. Patients were retrospectively evaluated for safety and patency of OA after harvest and OA-PICA bypass. Of 18 patients with ruptured and unruptured vertebral artery and PICA aneurysms, 13 (72.2%) underwent OA-PICA bypass and 5 (27.8%) did not undergo bypass. The OA was completely harvested without damage in all patients. After harvest, the OA was patent in 17 patients (94.4%) and was occluded in 1 patient owing to vasospasm; this patient then underwent recanalization resulting in good patency of the OA-PICA bypass. The patency rate of the OA-PICA bypass was 100%. The OA triangle, which is the anatomical landmark of the proximal end of the transitional segment of the OA, facilitated OA harvest using the distal-to-proximal harvest technique with safety and good patency. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of OA harvest in clinical cases.

Compression of the medulla oblongata by a fusiform vertebral artery aneurysm presenting as Babinski-Nageotte syndrome in a Filipino male: A case report

Babinski-Nageotte Syndrome (BNS) is one of the brainstem syndromes presenting with classic Wallenberg findings with associated contralateral motor deficit. Based on our literature review, only few cases have been reported and none of them was due to aneurysmal compression of the medulla oblongata. This paper aims to present a case of a 42-year old Filipino male, married, construction worker who manifested with sudden onset of severe headache with associated vertiginous dizziness, dysphagia, dysphonia, nausea, vomiting, and right extremity numbness and hemiparesis.

In Reply to the Letter to the Editor Regarding “Association of Early White Blood Cell Trend with Outcomes in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage”

Giant aneurysms of the intracranial vertebral artery and posterior inferior cerebellar artery are challenging to treat as they often necessitate direct sacrifice of the diseased segment, which is thought to carry high morbidity due to brainstem and cerebellar stroke. Here, we report images of twin giant aneurysms of the left posterior inferior cerebellar artery at the brainstem and cerebellopontine angle region in a young child.

Therapeutic dilemmas regarding giant aneurysms of the intracranial vertebral artery causing medulla oblongata compression.

Giant aneurysms of the intracranial vertebral artery are very rare cerebrovascular lesions. Due to the rarity of these aneurysms, we know little about them. We performed a systematic review of the English literature by searching the PubMed database. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (a) the full text was available and (b) complete clinical data were available. A total of 45 articles were identified, containing 53 patients (53 aneurysms). The patients were aged from 5 to 77 years (48.8 ± 20.8 years). Four patients receiving conservative treatment died. The remaining 49 patients were divided into the aneurysm removal group (n = 17) and the aneurysm reserve group (n = 32). The outcomes of the 49 treated cases could be obtained in 45 cases, 31 of which (68.9%, 31/45) had a Glasgow outcome scale score of 4-5. It is still difficult to treat intracranial giant vertebral artery aneurysms, regardless of the treatment selected. Because of the malignant natural history, aggressive treatment is still advocated.

Evaluation of Vessel Wall Apposition for Stent-Assisted Coiling in Treatment of Vertebral Artery Aneurysms Using Optical Coherence Tomography

Evaluation of Vessel Wall Apposition for Stent-Assisted Coiling in Treatment of Vertebral Artery Aneurysms Using Optical Coherence Tomography

Extended Retrosigmoid Craniotomy and Approach Through the Glossopharyngeal Cochlear Triangle for Clipping of a High-Riding Vertebral-Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Aneurysm: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

The far lateral transcondylar (FL) craniotomy is the standard approach for posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysm exposure through microsurgical dissection in the vagoaccessory triangle (VAT).1,2 However, the extended retrosigmoid (eRS) craniotomy and dissection through the glossopharyngeal-cochlear triangle (GCT) may be more appropriate when the patient has an aneurysm arising from a high-riding vertebral artery (VA)-PICA origin.3-5 We present a case of a 41-yr-old woman with hypertension presenting with left occipital pain and left-side hearing loss and past facial spasm and pain. Computed tomography angiography and digital subtraction angiography demonstrated an unruptured 8.4×9.0×10.2 mm saccular aneurysm at the left VA-PICA junction. Surgical clipping was chosen over endovascular therapy given the relationship of the PICA origin to the aneurysm neck as well as the history of cranial neuropathy. It was noted that the VA-PICA junction and aneurysm was high-riding at the level of the internal auditory canal. An eRS craniotomy was performed with dissection through the GCT, and the aneurysm was clipped as shown in the accompanying 2-dimensional operative video. Postoperative angiography demonstrated complete occlusion of the aneurysm and patency of the left VA and PICA without stenosis, and the patient had a favorable postoperative course although her left-sided hearing remained diminished. The eRS craniotomy allowed direct exposure via the GCT for clipping of the high-riding VA-PICA junction aneurysm and decompression of the cranial nerves. The traditional FL craniotomy and exposure through the VAT would likely have resulted in a less desirable inferior trajectory. The patient gave informed consent for the operation depicted in the video. Animation at 2:43 in video is used with permission from Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona.

Engaging Medical Students in Neurointervention: Rationale and Recruitment

Giant aneurysms of the intracranial vertebral artery and posterior inferior cerebellar artery are challenging to treat as they often necessitate direct sacrifice of the diseased segment, which is thought to carry high morbidity due to brainstem and cerebellar stroke. Here, we report images of twin giant aneurysms of the left posterior inferior cerebellar artery at the brainstem and cerebellopontine angle region in a young child.

Twin Giant Intracranial Aneurysms

Giant aneurysms of the intracranial vertebral artery and posterior inferior cerebellar artery are challenging to treat as they often necessitate direct sacrifice of the diseased segment, which is thought to carry high morbidity due to brainstem and cerebellar stroke. Here, we report images of twin giant aneurysms of the left posterior inferior cerebellar artery at the brainstem and cerebellopontine angle region in a young child.

A comparative analysis of the endoscopic endonasal and pterional approaches for clipping anterior communicating artery aneurysms on three-dimensional printed models.

A comparative analysis of the endoscopic endonasal and pterional approaches for clipping anterior communicating artery aneurysms on three-dimensional printed models.

Treatment of Unruptured Vertebral Artery Aneurysm Involving Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery With Pipeline Embolization Device.

Background: Treatment of unruptured vertebral artery aneurysm involving posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) is challenging. The experience of pipeline embolization device (PED) therapy for these lesions is still limited.Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the PED for unruptured vertebral artery aneurysm involving PICA.Methods: Thirty-two patients with unruptured vertebral artery aneurysm involving PICA underwent treatment with PED were retrospectively identified. Procedure-related complications, PICA patency, clinical, and angiographic outcomes were analyzed.Results: Thirty-two aneurysms were successfully treated without any procedure-related complications. Images were available in 30 patients (93.8%) during a period of 3–26 months follow-up (average 8.4 months), which confirmed complete occlusion in 17 patients (56.5%), near-complete occlusion in 9 patients (30%), and incomplete occlusion in one patient (3.3%). Parent artery occlusion (PAO) was occurred in 3 patients (10%). Twenty-eight of 30 PICA remained patent. The two occlusions of PICA were secondary to PAO. At a mean of 20.7 months (range 7–50 months) clinical follow-up, all the patients achieved a favorable outcome without any new neurological deficit.Conclusion: PED seems to be a safe and effective alternative endovascular option for patients with unruptured vertebral artery aneurysm involving PICA.

Endovascular treatment of vertebral and basilar artery aneurysms with low-profile visualized intraluminal support device

BackgroundThe Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) device is a self-expanding, nitinol, single-braid, closed-cell device that was recently developed for endovascular embolization of intracranial aneurysms. However, current knowledge regarding the use of LVIS devices to treat vertebral and basilar artery aneurysms is limited. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of the LVIS device for treating vertebral and basilar artery aneurysms.MethodsBetween January 2015 and December 2017, patients with vertebral and basilar artery aneurysms treated using LVIS stents were enrolled in this study. We analyzed patients’ demographic, clinical and aneurysmal characteristics, procedural details, complications, and angiographic and clinical follow-up results.ResultsWe identified 63 patients with 64 vertebral and basilar artery aneurysms who underwent treatment with (n = 59) or without (n = 5) LVIS stenting, including 10 patients with ruptured aneurysms. Forty-one aneurysms were located at the vertebral artery, and 23 at the basilar artery. Intraprocedural-related complications developed in three (4.8%) patients, while none of these patients developed morbidities or died during follow-up. Three patients developed post-procedural complications (4.8%). Two patients experienced ischemic events immediately post-procedure. A minor permanent morbidity developed in one of the two patients (1.6%). The mortality rate was 1.6%, for that the patient died of brainstem hemorrhage after 1 month of follow-up. At a mean follow-up of 12.5 months, 39/43 (90.7%) patients had stable or improved aneurysms, and four (9.3%) had recanalized.ConclusionsLVIS device of vertebral and basilar artery aneurysms may be an acceptable safety profile and may represent a reasonable treatment option in the short-term. Long-term and larger cohort studies are necessary to validate our results.

Outcomes of vascular wall malapposition following Pipeline Flex embolization device implantation for cerebral aneurysms: A retrospective study

BackgroundPipeline Flex embolization device (PLED) is a specific management modality for adults with intracranial aneurysms (IAs). The technical characteristics of the PLED aid in safe as well as extremely efficient usage. We present our experience of attempted and non-attempted resolution of wall malapposition in ICAs and vertebral artery aneurysms with associated cavernous ICA (cICA) tortuosity’s. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study to identify PLED wall malapposition from April 2018 to July 2019. We assessed various degrees of vascular tortuosity’s, aneurysm characteristics, immediate wall apposition, postoperative resolution of wall malapposition, postoperative follow-up of patients with wall malapposition as well as wall malapposition related complications. The patients were put into two category such as attempt resolution and non-attempted resolution (conservative treatments) groups. ResultsWe treated a total of 118 patients with PLED out of which 22 patients (18.6%) had wall malapposition. All patients were treated with a single PLEDs. Coils were used to obliterate the aneurysms in nine patients. Adequate aneurysm neck coverage was achieved in all cases. Resolution of wall malapposition was attempted in 13 patients while no resolution was attempted in nine patients intraoperatively. Out of the 22 patients with wall malapposition, 14 of them (63.64%) did not resolve in both groups. These 14 patients were put into follow-up sequence category. ConclusionAttempted resolution may not be suitable for certain aneurysms in very angulated ICAs with associated cICA tortuosity. Interestingly, spontaneous resolution of wall malapposition of PLED didn’t occur as we anticipated in most of our conservative treatment category.

Placement of a Pipeline Embolization Device: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Flow diversion has been a game-changer in the treatment of wide-neck large and giant cavernous and supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms as well as large vertebral artery aneurysms. Prior to their existence, carotid sacrifice or clipping with or without external to internal carotid artery bypass was the mainstay of treatment. Prior to flow diversion, endovascular coil embolization was often not effective as a stand-alone treatment because of the fact that many of these aneurysms present with symptoms created by mass effect on the cavernous sinus cranial nerves by the aneurysm. Packing the aneurysm with coils did nothing to alleviate the mass effect and did not prevent flow from entering the aneurysm. The continued flow causes coil compaction and aneurysm enlargement. Flow diversion addressed both these issues by diverting flow from the aneurysm while allowing the aneurysm to slowly thrombose and shrink. The video is a step-by-step account of this procedure in a 72-yr-old male with a large recurrence of a previously coiled cavernous ICA aneurysm. The procedure was performed following informed consent.

Aneurysms and pathological tortuosity of the internal carotid and vertebral arteries in patients with dissection of these vessels: a results of long-term study

To study the frequency, angiographic and clinical features of aneurysms and tortuosity (T) in patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) and vertebral artery (VA) dissection. Three hundred and twenty-seven patients (average age - 37.8±9.1 years, women - 57%) with ICA/VA dissection verified by neuroimaging were studied. Repeated neuroimaging in 2.4±3.3 years was performed in 254 patients. In one case, tortuous ICA fragment resected at the surgery complicated by dissection was histologically studied. ICA/VA aneurysms were found in 46 (14%) patients. At repeated neuroimaging aneurysms did not change (38%), increased (11%) or decreased in size (8%), were not detected (38%) or were detected for the first time (5%). Patients with aneurysms compared with those without aneurysms more often had multiple dissections (44% vs. 20%, p=0.001) and T (35% vs. 13%, p=0.001), but less frequently the artery lumen occlusion in the acute period (15% vs. 40%, p=0.001). T was found in 53 (16%) patients. Patients with T compared with patients without T were older (40.6±8.1 vs. 37.3±9.3 years, p=0.039), more often had aneurysms (30% vs. 11%, p=0.001) and recanalization of occlusion observed in the acute period (89% vs. 54%, p=0.006). Dissection more often occurred in tortuous than in non-tortuous artery (79% vs 21%, p=0.001). During 4.8±3.6 years of follow-up, TIA developed inone patient (2%) with an aneurysm. Histological examination of tortuous ICA fragment, which also contained a small aneurysm, revealed dysplastic changes. The association between aneurism and T in patients with ICA/VA dissection suggests their common basis - the arterial wall weakness due to dysplasia. Age-related changes are also important for T development. T is a risk factor for ICA/VA dissection. Aneurysms formed after ICA/VA dissection have a benign course.

Short-segment Internal Trapping for Symptomatic Thrombosed Large Fusiform Vertebral Artery Aneurysms (Bird's Nest Trapping): A Technical Note.

Internal trapping with coils is an established treatment of symptomatic large non-branching thrombosed fusiform vertebral artery aneurysms (VAA). However, when perforators arise near the aneurysm neck, parent artery occlusion has a high risk of causing medullary infarction. As an alternative treatment, we performed short-segment internal trapping of the artery using n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) and coils (bird’s nest trapping). Before treatment, perianeurysmal perforators are carefully detected using high-resolution three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA). Double microcatheters are advanced to the distal portion of the aneurysm through a balloon guiding catheter where coils are deployed without tight packing. Then, NBCA is injected into the coil mass, taking care to preserve perforators and significant branches. The same maneuver is repeated in the proximal portion of the aneurysm. Coil placement is avoided within the middle of the aneurysm; however, if necessary, only a small number of coils are placed to prevent worsening of mass effect. Two quinquagenarian males presented with a large thrombosed fusiform VAA that caused symptoms due to mass effect. In each case, perforators arose from the parent artery and short-segment internal trapping with NBCA and coils was performed. Symptoms improved after treatment and follow-up imaging confirmed aneurysm shrinkage with no long-time recurrence. In symptomatic large fusiform VAAs where the distance from the lesion to important perforators is extremely short, internal trapping using a combination of NBCA and coils can be more useful than conventional internal trapping.

Successful Treatment of Ruptured Dissecting Vertebral Artery Aneurysms through Proximal Occlusion of the Vertebral Artery along with Reconstruction of the Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery: Two Case Reports

Successful Treatment of Ruptured Dissecting Vertebral Artery Aneurysms through Proximal Occlusion of the Vertebral Artery along with Reconstruction of the Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery: Two Case Reports

Unfavorable outcome of giant vertebral artery aneurysm. Clinical case and literature review

To demonstrate the unfavorable natural course and prognosis of giant vertebral artery aneurysm, to analyze the literature, and to conduct a postmortem histopathological study of the features of this disease.

Endovascular Treatment of a Primary Extracranial Vertebral Artery Aneurysm Causing Ischemic Stroke

Extracranial vertebral artery aneurysms are a rare cause of embolic stroke; various surgical and endovascular treatment options are available. We report a 44-year-old man with a symptomatic proximal extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm of unclear etiology. The patient presented with brainstem infarction, and the diagnosis of primary extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm was made by computed tomography angiography (CTA). This patient's aneurysm was definitively treated using an endovascular approach with placement of a covered stent in the right proximal vertebral artery. Although aneurysms of this location are traditionally repaired with open aneurysmectomy, we show that endovascular treatment can be a safe and effective alternative approach. In the case reported here, primary extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm presenting with embolic stroke was successfully treated with a covered stent. Complete exclusion of the aneurysm from blood circulation is advisable to achieve full resolution of the embolic source.