Endovascular therapy of a large vertebral artery aneurysm using stent and coils.
BACKGROUND
Endovascular therapy is becoming an increasingly popular treatment for cerebral aneurysms. Total angiographic occlusion of small-necked aneurysms (<4 mm) can be obtained in a high percentage of cases. The endovascular treatment of wide-necked or fusiform aneurysms remains a challenge with complete angiographic occlusion reported in <15% of cases.


METHODS
We describe the combined use of a flexible coronary stent and platinum coils to treat a wide-necked aneurysm of the distal left vertebral artery, in a patient with Grade IV subarachnoid hemorrhage.


RESULTS
The procedure was technically successful as the parent artery was protected by the stent while coils were deposited in the aneurysm lumen. Although angiographic aneurysm occlusion was incomplete, the dome was packed with coils. No further hemorrhage has occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Combined endovascular stent and coil therapy is a promising technique for the treatment of wide-necked cerebral aneurysms.
Lownie
S P
SP
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Western, London, Ontario, Canada.
Pelz
D M
DM
Fox
A J
AJ
D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015607:Stents; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000601:surgery*