Double-Balloon-Assisted Coiling for Wide-Necked Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms with a Fetal-Type Variant of the Posterior Cerebral Artery: A Case Series

Abstract

Endovascular treatment for wide-necked posterior communicating artery (PcomA) aneurysms with a fetal-type variant of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) is often challenging. Since the complete occlusion rates achieved with the currently available treatment methods are unsatisfactory, we aimed to study the effectiveness of a double-balloon-assisted technique for these aneurysms. From September 2014 to August 2020, 6 consecutive patients with PcomA aneurysms with fetal-type PCAs and no previous treatment were treated with this technique at our institution (3 ruptured cases and 3 unruptured cases). The indication for this technique is that the neck of the aneurysm should significantly and broadly incorporate both the internal carotid artery and fetal-type PCA, such that a single-balloon remodeling and single stent would be inadequate to protect both the arteries. In all patients, the fetal-type PCAs were preserved without a stent and with adequate occlusion status. This double-balloon technique can be effective in the treatment of these aneurysms.

Keywords

• intracranial aneurysm
• embolization
• posterior cerebral artery
• follow-up studies