Treatment Of Complex Intracranial Aneurysms Research Articles

Radiographic Analysis of Internal Maxillary Artery Anatomy

Background: The extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass has been used for decades by neurosurgeons for a variety of entities, including ischemic disease and the need to augment cerebral blood flow, treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms, and as an adjunct to resection of challenging skull base tumors. Recently, employing the internal maxillary artery (IMAX) as a donor vessel has been described. The IMAX-MCA bypass provides many advantages over traditional bypass procedures. The course of the IMAX through the floor of the middle cranial fossa allows the surgeon to utilize a shorter interposition graft given the relative proximity to middle cerebral vessels in the Sylvian fissure. Additionally, it allows the surgeon, in the majority of cases, to work through one operative field as opposed to exposing the cervical carotid in the neck. The purpose of this study is to develop a methodology to improve the means by which the IMAX is identified in the skull base and to improve the efficacy by which it is accessed.

Retrograde Trans-Posterior Communicating Artery Snare-Assisted Rescue of Lost Access to a Foreshortened Pipeline Embolization Device: Complication Management

The Pipeline embolization device (PED; Covidien Vascular Therapies, Mansfield, Massachusetts) is a promising, yet experimental, vascular reconstruction device for the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms. We present a PED-related complication and describe a salvage strategy. A 64-year-old woman underwent PED-assisted parent vessel reconstruction for her giant cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm. During placement of the first PED, the proximal part of the PED foreshortened and was displaced into the aneurysm sac. Multiple subsequent attempts to recatheterize the PED failed, and, ultimately, distal access through and beyond the PED was lost. Therefore, completion of the Pipeline construct by stacking PEDs for definitive treatment was prevented. Retrograde access of the PED was gained from the distal ICA through a microwire that was advanced from the basilar artery through the posterior communicating artery. The microwire from the distal ICA was grasped with a snare from the proximal ICA and pulled down to the cervical ICA. The opened snare around the microwire was used as a lasso to advance a microcatheter from the cervical ICA through the PED to regain distal access. Five more PEDs were used to achieve complete parent vessel reconstruction and aneurysm obliteration. Maintaining distal access is critical until the entire parent vessel is reconstructed, especially when multiple PEDs are required. The salvage technique described may help regain distal access if it is lost during the procedure.

Neuroform stent-assisted coiling of intracranial aneurysms: a 5 year single-center experience and follow-up

Background and purpose: Wide-necked and fusiform aneurysms still remain a therapeutic challenge both surgically and endovascularly. The authors report their clinical experience and 5 year follow-up results using Neuroform stent, as an adjunct in the treatment of wide-necked and fusiform aneurysms.Methods: One hundred and seven consecutive patients with 110 wide-necked or fusiform intracranial aneurysms were treated with the Neuroform stent-assisted coiling. Both sequential technique and parallel technique were used. In all cases, embolization was completed by packing the aneurysm sac with a variety of commercially available coils. The technical feasibility of the procedure, procedure-related complications, angiographic results, clinical outcome and follow-up angiography were evaluated.Results: In every case, the Neuroform stent system was delivered and deployed accurately, and occlusion was achieved. Immediate angiography demonstrated complete occlusion in 57·2%, neck remnant in 27·3% and incomplete occlusion in 15·5%. Procedure-related morbidity was 5·6% and procedural-related mortality was 0·9%. Favorable clinical outcome (modified Rankin scale score: 0–2) was observed in 90·7% of the patients (average follow-up time: 47·3 months). No rehemorrhage of treated aneurysm occurred. Angiography follow-up was obtained in 45·8% (49/107 patients; 51/110 aneurysms; average follow-up time: 37·2 months). The overall recanalization rate was 13·7%. Comparison of occlusion class immediately after treatment and at last follow-up showed that 86·3% of the 51 aneurysms had stable or improved class. Eight aneurysms (36·4%) that were not initially completely occluded converted to complete occlusion on follow-up. No delayed coil or stent migration was found. One patient with in-stent stenosis and one with penetrating artery occlusion occurred as delayed complications.Conclusion: In treating complex intracranial aneurysms, the Neuroform stent-assisted coiling is a secure and effective technique.

Flow-Diverter Stent for the Endovascular Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms

The purpose of this study is to report our preliminary experience with the flow-diverter Silk stent for the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. This prospective study was approved by the authors' ethical committees. Twenty-nine patients with 34 fusiform or wide-necked unruptured aneurysms were included and treated by Silk stent placement alone by 2 physicians in 3 different centers. Technical issues, immediate findings, delayed complications, clinical follow-up, and imaging follow-up at 3 and 6 months were assessed. Endovascular treatment was successfully performed in 26 patients (90%). In 3 patients, the stent could not be delivered. Mortality and morbidity rates were of 4% (1 of 26) and 15% (4 of 26), respectively; 1 patient died from a delayed aneurysm rupture related to stent migration, 3 experienced a thromboembolic event, and 1 patient developed progressive visual disturbances related to an increased mass effect. Clinical outcome in 25 patients was unchanged (n=19), improved (n=2), or worsened (=4). Angiographic follow-up in 24 patients (29 aneurysms) showed 20 complete occlusions (69%), 1 neck remnant (3.5%), and 8 incomplete occlusions (27.5%). Significant parent artery stenosis at 6 months occurred in 8 cases (33%). Despite the potential interest of the Silk flow-diverter stent to treat complex intracranial aneurysms without coils, the delayed complication rate is quite high and leads to use this technique only in selective cases.

Endovascular Treatment for Complex Intracranial Aneurysms: Lessons Learnt in Five Patients

We describe our experience in five cases of endovascular treatment for complex intracranial aneurysms. The senior author (ZW) has clinical experience with more than 6000 cases of brain aneurysms treated with endovascular techniques. Multiple endovascular therapies, such as treatment with Onyx, parent vessel occlusion, stent-assisted coiling, covered stent, can be used in an attempt to provide a solution to various clinical dilemmas associated with the management of these difficult lesions. Here, we focus on the latest five patients and lessons learnt in endovascular techniques for complex intracranial aneurysms.On the basis of the knowledge obtained over the years, multimodality endovascular techniques should be re-evaluated to improve patient outcomes.

Nursing strategy of bypass and revascularization technique in the treatment of intracranial complex aneurysms

Objective To explore the nursing strategies of bypass and revascularization in the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms. Methods Sixteen patients with complex intracranial aneurysms underwent bypass, reconstruction operation, or an aneurysm trapping followed by saphenous vein procedures. Sufficient preoperative preparation and intraoperative proficient cooperation and effective management are helpful to cope with emergent situation. Results Sixteen aneurysms were trapped followed by saphenous vein high-flow bypass.All the patients had good outcome by using effective nursing strategies. Conclusions Bypass and revascularization operation which has a relative long operative duration demand high nursing quality including basic cooperation skill, sufficient preoperative preparation, and rapid and effective dealing with emergent situation, leading to satisfactory intraoperative nursing effect. Key words: Complex intracranial aneurysm; Bypass; Revascularization; Operative nursing

Preliminary experience and short-term follow-up results of treatment of wide-necked or fusiform cerebral aneurysms with a self-expanding, closed-cell, retractable stent

The Cordis Enterprise stent (Cordis Corporation; Miami, FL, USA), is a novel self-expanding, closed-cell, retractable stent with a low profile, good navigability and flexibility, which has been recently introduced into China. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 84 consecutive patients who presented to our institution from December 2008 to June 2009. They had a total of 90 wide-necked or fusiform aneurysms that were treated using Enterprise stents. A total of 97 stents were implanted into the parent arteries without technical failure. A total of 14 aneurysms were stented alone, while the remaining 76 aneurysms were treated using a combination of stent and coils, resulting in complete occlusion of 43 aneurysms, a residual neck in 11 and a residual aneurysm in 22. Procedure-related complications occurred in two patients, which resulted in one procedure-related mortality. The clinical follow-up (1–7 months) results demonstrated no neurological deterioration or re-bleeding. The short-term angiographic follow-up (3–6 months) results revealed one recurrence and no in-stent stenosis. Our results suggest that the Cordis Enterprise stent is easy to manipulate, and is safe and effective in the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms.

Bypass and revascularization in the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms

Objective To study the application of bypass and revascularizatiou in the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms.Method From Nov 2002 to Mar 2008,twenty-four patients with complex intracranial aneurysms underwent aneurysmectomy followed by primary reanastomosis,aneurysm trapping followed by saphenous vein or superficial temporal artery bypass procedures.Results Four aneurysms were excised with primary reanastomosis,16 of 24 aneurysms were trapped followed by saphenous vein high-flow bypass,and 4 were excised followed by superficial temporal artery low-flow bypass.At discharge,twenty-two out of the 24 patients had a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 4 to 5,one patient was severe disability and one was dead.Conclusions Bypass or revascularization is a sound and reliable procedure in the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms.The M2 segment of middle cerebral artery is the optimal recipient to accept bypass vessel. Key words: Intracranial aneurysm; Bypass; Cerebral revascularization

Medium-Term Results Using the Leo Self-Expanding Stent in the Treatment of Complex Intracranial Aneurysms

The preliminary experience with the Leo microstent in combination with detachable coils for the treatment of patients with wide-necked cerebral aneurysms is reported, and the technical complications and recommendations for optimum placement and deployment are discussed. Thirty.two patients identified as harboring wide-necked aneurysm were selected for stent-assisted coiling. Aneurysms were paraophthalmic-cavernous in 13 cases, eight were located at the posterior communicating artery, four at the basilar artery, three at the vertebral arteries, two at the posterior cerebral arteries, one at the right middle artery, and one at the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery. After appropriate antiplatelet therapy, the Leo stent was delivered to the aneurysm site and positioned without difficulty, except in four cases requiring the use of steam to shape the tip of the Vasco microcatheter. Angiographic follow-up was undertaken at six months in 32 patients, at one year in 27 patients, and at two years in 20 patients. Stent placement in the desired position with complete or near complete occlusion of the aneurysm was feasible in all patients. In one patient, the stent was slightly displaced during microwire manipulation for aneurysm microcatheterization. Two-year angiography in 20 patients showed 18 complete occlusions and two aneurysms with a minimal residual neck. The Leo stent represents a significant advancement in the vascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms providing high radial force and an easy delivery system i.e., it is a feasible, secure and effective system.

Result of Extracranial-Intracranial Bypass Surgery in the Treatment of Complex Intracranial Aneurysms : Outcomes in 15 Cases

The standard treatment strategy of intracranial aneurysms includes either endovascular coiling or microsurgical clipping. In certain situations such as in giant or dissecting aneurysms, bypass surgery followed by proximal occlusion or trapping of parent artery is required. The authors assessed the result of extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery in the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms in one institute between 2003 and 2007 retrospectively to propose its role as treatment modality. The outcomes of 15 patients with complex aneurysms treated during the last 5 years were reviewed. Six male and 9 female patients, aged 14 to 76 years, presented with symptoms related to hemorrhage in 6 cases, transient ischemic attack (TIA) in 2 unruptured cases, and permanent infarction in one, and compressive symptoms in 3 cases. Aneurysms were mainly in the internal carotid artery (ICA) in 11 cases, middle cerebral artery (MCA) in 2, posterior cerebral artery (PCA) in one and posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) in one case. The types of aneurysms were 8 cases of large to giant size aneurysms, 5 cases of ICA blood blister-like aneurysms, one dissecting aneurysm, and one pseudoaneurysm related to trauma. High-flow bypass surgery was done in 6 cases with radial artery graft (RAG) in five and saphenous vein graft (SVG) in one. Low-flow bypass was done in nine cases using superficial temporal artery (STA) in eight and occipital artery (OA) in one case. Parent artery occlusion was performed with clipping in 9 patients, with coiling in 4, and with balloon plus coil in 1. Direct aneurysm clip was done in one case. The follow up period ranged from 2 to 48 months (mean 15.0 months). There was no mortality case. The long-term clinical outcome measured by Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) showed good or excellent outcome in 13/15. The overall surgery related morbidity was 20% (3/15) including 2 emergency bypass surgeries due to unexpected parent artery occlusion during direct clipping procedure. The short-term postoperative bypass graft patency rates were 100% but the long-term bypass patency rates were 86.7% (13/15). Nonetheless, there was no bypass surgery related morbidity due to occlusion of the graft. Revascularization technique is a pivotal armament in managing complex aneurysms and scrupulous prior planning is essential to successful outcomes.

Multimodal Treatment for Complex Intracranial Aneurysms: Clinical Research

For patients with giant or dissecting aneurysm, multimodal treatment consisting extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery plus clip or coil for parent artery occlusion may be necessary. In this study, the safety and efficacy of multimodal treatment in 15 patients with complex aneurysms were evaluated retrospectively. From January 1995 to June 2007, the authors treated 15 complex aneurysms that were unable to be clipped or coiled. Among them, nine patitents had unruptured aneurysms and 6 had ruptured aneurysms. Aneurysms were located in the internal cerebral artery (ICA) in 11 patients (4 in the dorsal wall, 4 in the terminal ICA, 1 in the paraclinoid, and 2 in the cavernous ICA), in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in 2, and in the posterior circulation in two patients Fifteen patients with complex aneurysms were treated with bypass surgery previously. Thirteen patients were treated with external carotid middle cerebral artery (ECA-MCA) anastomosis, and one patient with superficial temporal to posterior cerebral artery (STA-PCA) and another patient with occipital artery to posterior inferior cerebellar artery (OA-PICA) anastomosis. Parent artery occlusion was then performed with a clip in 9 patients, with a coil in 4, with balloon plus coil in one patient. All 15 aneurysms were successfully treated with clip or coil combined with bypass surgery. Follow-up angiograms showed good patency of anastomotic site in 10 out of 11 patients, and perfusion study showed sufficient perfusion in 6 out of 9 patients. These findings indicate that for patients with complex aneurysms, clip or coil for parent vessel occlusion with additive bypass surgery can successfully exclude the aneurysm from the neurovascular circulatory system.

Intraoperative transaneurysmal coil-assisted clip occlusion of a complex anterior communicating artery aneurysm

The combination of surgical and endovascular treatment for complex intracranial aneurysms has previously been used in a staged fashion. To perfect the clipping process of a complex anterior communicating artery aneurysm and to avoid a second staged procedure, the authors used a method of direct intraoperative transaneurysmal coil-assisted clip occlusion of the aneurysm. To the authors' knowledge this is the first time direct intraoperative transaneurysmal coil-assisted clip occlusion has been reported. It should be kept in mind as one of the options to help in complete obliteration of complex intracranial aneurysms.

Microsurgical treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms via keyhole approaches

To explore the feasibility and effect of microsurgical treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms via keyhole approaches. Operation via keyhole approach was performed on thirty-one patients with 42 complex intracranial aneurysms were operated on, including 2 internal carotid artery bifurcation aneurysms, 1 anterior cerebral artery aneurysm, 12 posterior communicating artery aneurysms, 2 anterior choroids artery aneurysms, 7 middle cerebral artery aneurysms, 6 anterior communicating artery aneurysms, 2 basilar artery aneurysms, 2 vertebral artery aneurysms, 4 posterior cerebral artery aneurysms and 4 ophthalmic artery aneurysms, among which were 10 cases with multiple intracranial aneurysms, 14 with giant aneurysms, and 7 with posterior circulation aneurysms, and 4 aneurysms clipped by drilling off anterior clinoid process. Six of the 31 patients who had giant aneurysms came to hospital because of the symptoms, such as dizziness, headache, oculomotor paralysis, loss of vision, etc, and the other 25 patients were grouped according to the subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) Grade: 5 in grade I, 12 in grade II, 7 in grade III and 1 in grade IV. Eight patients were operated on after SAH in the early-phase, while 8 in the middle-phase and 9 in the late-phase. The supraorbital subfrontal keyhole approach was used 25 times, the pterional approach 5 times, the subtemporal approach 3 times, and both the suboccipital lateral approach and the retromastoid approach once. 31 of the 42 aneurysms were clipped, 2 mini-aneurysms wrapped, 5 giant aneurysms clipped and resected, 2 aneurysms trapped with thrombotic aneurysm partially resected, 1 aneurysm trapped, while 1 ruptured before operation and untreated. Short-term Glasgow outcome scoring showed good recovery in 27 patients, moderate disability in 2, and death in 2. Operation via keyhole approaches effectively controls the immature rupture of intracranial aneurysm, removes anterior clinoid process, respects giant aneurysm, and reconstructs the parent artery of wide-neck aneurysm. Based on individualized surgical approaches and excellent microsurgical skills, the complex intracranial aneurysms can be treated safely, directly and effectively via minimally invasive keyhole approaches.

Effectiveness of suturing training with 10-0 nylon under fixed and maximum magnification (×20) using desk type microscope

Background Microvascular anastomosis using 10-0 nylon needs a higher level of technical dexterity compared with routine neurosurgical maneuvers. Although this technique remains an important part of treating complex intracranial aneurysms or cerebrovascular disease, the surgeon's clinical experience in using this technique is not so common. Methods To improve dexterity and maneuverability in the limited clinical case volume, we developed an easily accessible training system, using commercially available desk type microscope and simply suturing neighboring fibers of the gauze with 10-0 nylon under fixed and highest (×20) magnification. Result This training system is somewhat of a drawback compared to the simulation of a real clinical setting. However, because of the extremely easy availability and accessibility of the dark type microscope repeated training and the accumulation of more than 10 000 stitches, on average, was accomplished. This resulted in a steep learning curve of the technique. Conclusion For residency and post-residency year young neurosurgeons, who need to brush up their skills due to lower surgical case volume compared with what senior neurosurgeons have experienced this easily available training would contribute to establishing daily and long-lasting microsurgical practice.

In Situ Bypass in the Management of Complex Intracranial Aneurysms: Technique Application in 13 Patients

Cerebral revascularization is an important part of the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms that require deliberate occlusion of a parent artery. In situ bypass brings together intracranial donor and recipient arteries that lie parallel and in close proximity to one another rather than using an extracranial donor artery. An experience with in situ bypasses was retrospectively reviewed. Thirteen aneurysms were treated with in situ bypasses between 1997 and 2004. During this time, 1071 aneurysms were treated microsurgically and 46 bypasses were performed as part of the aneurysm treatment. Treated aneurysms were located at the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in five patients, posteroinferior cerebellar artery (PICA) in three patients, vertebral artery in three patients, and anterior communicating artery in two patients. Seven aneurysms were fusiform or dolichoectatic, and six aneurysms were saccular. Microsurgical revascularization techniques included side-to-side anastomosis of intracranial arteries in eight patients and aneurysm excision with end-to-end reanastomosis of the parent artery in five patients. In situ bypasses included A3-A3 anterior cerebral artery bypass in two patients, anterior temporal artery-MCA bypass in one patient, MCA-MCA bypass in one patient, and PICA-PICA bypass in four patients. Aneurysm excision with arterial reanastomosis included three MCA aneurysms and two PICA aneurysms. On angiography, all aneurysms were completely obliterated and 12 bypasses were patent. In situ bypass is a safe and effective alternative to extracranial-intracranial bypasses and high-flow bypasses using saphenous vein or radial artery grafts. Although in situ bypasses are more demanding technically, they do not require harvesting a donor artery, can be accomplished with one anastomosis, and are less vulnerable to injury or occlusion.

Vertebral Artery-to-Middle Cerebral Artery Bypass with Coil Embolization of Giant Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm: Technical Case Report

Cerebral revascularization with extracranial-to-intracranial bypass is often required during the surgical treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms. This report is the first in which a vertebral artery (VA)-to-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass in conjunction with endovascular coil embolization is used in the successful treatment of a giant intracranial aneurysm. A 68-year-old man previously diagnosed with a 6-cm internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm presented complaining of progressing left hemiparesis and mental status changes. His aneurysm had been treated previously by common carotid artery occlusion 20 years earlier. Arteriography defined the partially thrombosed, right supraclinoid ICA aneurysm arising at the junction of the posterior communicating artery and the supraclinoid ICA. Because of the patient's worsening symptomatology, endovascular coiling with placement of a superficial temporal artery-to-MCA bypass was performed. The patient tolerated this procedure well, and his symptoms resolved. However, they recurred several months later, and imaging suggested poor right hemispheric perfusion despite a patent bypass. A VA-MCA bypass using a saphenous vein graft was then performed using the distal right VA at the level of cervical vertebra 1 (C1) as the donor vessel with a distal anastomotic site on the right MCA. Coil embolization of the aneurysm was repeated, and the feeding posterior communicating artery was sacrificed. The patient is currently asymptomatic more than 1 year after the second bypass and coil embolization. This report describes a safe and definitive treatment option for a giant intracranial ICA aneurysm using a posterior-to-anterior circulation (VA-MCA) bypass, followed by endovascular coil embolization in a patient with previous ligation of the common carotid artery. VA-MCA high-flow saphenous vein bypass followed by coil embolization is a useful technique that is especially valuable in the subset of giant aneurysm patients who have previously been treated by carotid ligation.

Cerebral Revascularization Using Radial Artery Grafts for the Treatment of Complex Intracranial Aneurysms: Techniques and Outcomes for 17 Patients

OBJECTIVE The goal of this report is to illustrate the use of radial artery grafts as bypass conduits in the management of complex intracranial aneurysms and to describe a new “pressure distension technique” to eliminate postoperative vasospasm, which was a common problem early in our experience. METHODS This study included a series of 17 patients who were surgically treated between 1994 and January 2001 for complex intracranial aneurysms. Five patients were surgically treated without the pressure distension technique; for 12 patients, the technique was used to reduce postoperative vasospasm. Fourteen of the patients had anterior circulation aneurysms, and three had posterior circulation aneurysms. Five of the patients had undergone previous attempts at direct clipping or excision and reconstruction of the aneurysm in question, and embolization had been performed for one patient with a carotid-cavernous fistula. Thirteen patients underwent permanent revascularization combined with proximal occlusion, trapping, or clipping, and four patients underwent temporary revascularization for cerebral protection during anticipated prolonged occlusion of the parent vessel during aneurysm dissection. Surgical techniques are described, with particular reference to vessel collection and bypass techniques. RESULTS The outcomes for this group of patients, considering the complexity of the aneurysms and their “inoperability,” with respect to direct clipping, were satisfactory. The aneurysms were completely obliterated for all patients, and the grafts were patent for all except one patient on postoperative angiograms. There were two deaths, one attributable to systemic sepsis and the other attributable to cardiac arrest during a transbronchial biopsy. The postoperative Glasgow Outcome Scale scores were either better or the same for all other patients, compared with their preoperative scores. Three of the five patients treated before the institution of the pressure distension technique experienced vasospasm of the graft, with two of those patients requiring angioplasty. For one of those patients, angioplasty led to rupture of the graft. Vasospasm was not observed for any of the 12 patients for whom the pressure distension technique was used. We observed no morbidity related to radial artery collection. CONCLUSION Revascularization techniques are occasionally necessary for the surgical treatment of complicated intracranial aneurysms. The merits of the use of the radial artery as a bypass conduit are discussed. Radial artery grafts should be considered as alternatives to saphenous vein and superficial temporal artery grafts. The problem of vasospasm of the artery has been solved with the pressure distention technique.

Intraoperative digital subtraction angiography and the surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms and vascular malformations

Intraoperative digital subtraction angiography using commercially available equipment was employed to confirm the precision of the surgical result in 105 procedures for intracranial aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations (AVM's). Transfemoral selective arterial catheterization was performed in most of these cases. A radiolucent operating table was used in all cases, and a radiolucent head-holder in most. In five of the 57 aneurysm procedures, clip repositioning was required after intraoperative angiography demonstrated an inadequate result. In five of the 48 AVM procedures, intraoperative angiography demonstrated residual AVM nidus which was then located and resected. In two cases intraoperative angiography failed to identify residual filling of an aneurysm which was seen later on postoperative angiography, and in one case the intraoperative study failed to demonstrate a tiny residual fragment of AVM which was seen on conventional postoperative angiography. Two complications resulted from intraoperative angiography: one patient developed aphasia from cerebral embolization and one patient developed leg ischemia from femoral artery thrombosis. This technique appears to be of particular value in the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms and vascular malformations.

Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with a new silicone microballoon device: technical considerations and indications for therapy.

Treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms by means of interventional neurovascular techniques is now being performed with a newly developed silicone detachable-microballoon device. The balloon is composed of unique silicone elastomers that are extremely soft and malleable. It therefore conforms to the blood vessel lumen or aneurysm wall and reduces the risk of rupture. It is affixed onto a 2.0-F catheter and can be either directed by flow or guided with the catheter. For aneurysms with a well-defined neck, the balloon is placed directly into the aneurysm, inflated with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate for permanent solidification, and detached. The aneurysm is thus excluded from the circulation, and the parent vessel is preserved. For aneurysms without a well-defined neck, test occlusion can be performed, followed by permanent balloon occlusion of the parent vessel. This balloon technique has been successfully used to treat aneurysms in both the anterior and posterior circulations, where standard neurosurgical techniques have failed, and in surgically inaccessible anatomic locations.