Reconstructive endovascular treatment of a ruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm using the Pipeline embolization device.
BACKGROUND
The Pipeline embolization device has been used successfully to treat intracranial aneurysms with difficult morphologies. However, the need for dual antiplatelet therapy has limited its use after subarachnoid hemorrhage.


METHODS
A 42-year-old woman with a ruptured dissecting aneurysm of her dominant vertebral artery (V4) was successfully treated by Pipeline embolization with preservation of flow through a covered posterior inferior cerebellar artery. This strategy preserved endovascular access for the treatment of severe posterior circulation vasospasm. She was a non-responder to thienopyridine agents and was thus maintained on aspirin and heparin, which was transitioned to warfarin following ventricular drain removal. The aneurysm remains angiographically obliterated at 6 months. Despite a moribund presentation and an extended hospitalization, she has made a remarkable neurological recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
Pipeline embolization may be used to treat a ruptured dissecting aneurysm in selected cases where parent vessel preservation is paramount.
Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85013, USA.
Andrew F
AF
Ducruet
R Webster
RW
Crowley
Felipe C
FC
Albuquerque
Cameron G
CG
McDougall
D000328:Adult; D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020217:Vertebral Artery Dissection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*