Endovascular treatment of tiny ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysms.
BACKGROUND
Because of its high complication rate, the endovascular treatment (EVT) of anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms less than 3 mm in maximum diameter remains controversial. We evaluated EVT of tiny ruptured ACoA aneurysms with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs).


METHODS
We treated 19 ruptured ACoA aneurysms with a maximum diameter of <or=3 mm with GDCs. The pretreatment Hunt and Hess score was grade 1 in four patients, grade 2 in six, grade 3 in six, and grade 4 in three. The patients were clinically assessed before and after treatment and with multiple angiographic follow-up studies.


RESULTS
All EVTs were successful; there were no aneurysm perforations or any other treatment-related complications. In five patients older than 80 years the transfemoral approach was difficult, and the direct carotid approach was used. Complete and near-complete occlusion was achieved in 16 patients (84.2%) and 3 patients (15.8%), respectively. Of the 19 patients, 16 (84.2%) were followed angiographically for a median of 38.5 months (range 16-72 months). None demonstrated recanalization of the aneurysm requiring additional treatment. In 15 patients (78.9%) the final outcome was good (modified Rankin scale, mRS, score 0-2), and 3 patients (15.8%) died or suffered severe disability (mRS score 4-6). None of 18 patients who were followed clinically for a median of 39.5 months (range 17-84 months) experienced rebleeding.


CONCLUSIONS
Even tiny ruptured ACoA aneurysms can be safely treated by EVT by expert neurointerventionalists using advanced techniques.
Tsutsumi
Masanori
M
Department of Neurosurgery, Fukuoka University Chikushi Hospital, 1-1-1 Zokumyoin, Chikushino, Fukuoka 8188502, Japan.
Aikawa
Hiroshi
H
Onizuka
Masanari
M
Kodama
Tomonobu
T
Nii
Kouhei
K
Matsubara
Shuko
S
Iko
Minoru
M
Etou
Housei
H
Sakamoto
Kimiya
K
Kazekawa
Kiyoshi
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D017130:Angioplasty; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome