Application of flow coils to occlude distal vertebrobasilar aneurysms

Abstract

Objective ‒ to improve the quality of treatment and endovascular occlusion techniques in case of distal vertebrobasilar (VB) aneurysms with implementation of flow coils usage. Materials and methods. Retrospective analysis of 4 patients (3 women and 1 man, mean age 53.5 years) with VB aneurysms in a 2-year period treated in Scientific-Practical Center of Endovascular Neuroradiology NAMS of Ukraine. Pretreatment clinical status was recorded from the patient files, any new neurologic symptoms after the treatment were recorded. Clinical outcome of the patients was established from the patient files. We describe the case of distal superior cerebellar artery aneurysm, 3 cases of posterior inferior cerebellar artery neurysms treated successfully with flow coils with 3-month follow-up at least. All patients underwent cerebral angiography with transfemoral access. Subsequently, coiling of the most distal to the aneurysm segment of the artery was performed. Results. All patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage with vestibulo-atactic disorder, diplopia in the case of an aneurysm of the superior cerebellar artery. Endovascular deconstructive occlusion of the aneurysm was performed, according to the data of cerebral angiography, anatomy of the involved artery. In postprocedure Reversible neurological decline in one patient after performing deconstructive occlusion was observed, the symptom completely recovered within 2 weeks of the post-procedural period. Three patients noted the regression of static-coordination disorders in the first 5 days after surgery. No cases of extravasation during coiling and recanalization of the artery during the control examination were observed. Conclusions. Aneurysms of posterior inferior cerebellar artery and superior cerebellar artery are rare. Technical availability to reach the distal to the aneurysm segment of the artery is the key of successful procedure. In comparison with general microcatheters used to insert detachable coils, A microcatheter that is congruent to flow coils is a better navigated in a flow and has lower risk of damaging the artery wall because its physical properties. When the favorable positioning of the tip of the microcatheter is achieved, the flow coils effectively and in a controlled manner occlude the eligible segment of the artery.

Keywords

• aneurysm; vertebrobasilar; flow coil; liquid coil.