title: Endovascular reconstruction of unruptured intradural vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms with the Pipeline embolization device.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral artery (VA) are difficult to treat using current surgical and endovascular techniques.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze retrospectively the efficacy and safety of flow diverters in the treatment of dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral artery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified six patients with six unruptured VA dissecting aneurysms either arising from the V4 or V3-V4 junction that were treated with the Pipeline embolization device (PED) at our institution between July 2012 and February 2015. Among other parameters, technical feasibility of the procedure, procedure-related complications, angiographic results, and clinical outcome were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PED placement was achieved in all cases and immediate angiography follow-up demonstrated intra-aneurysmal contrast stasis with parent artery preservation. A temporary episode of dysarthria was noted in one patient. Major procedure-related complications were not observed. The 6-month follow-up (n=6) demonstrated complete/near-complete aneurysm obliteration in five patients and partial obliteration in one. At the 1-year follow-up (n=5) stable complete aneurysm occlusion was seen in two patients. Two cases showed progression from near complete occlusion and partial occlusion at 6 months to complete occlusion and near complete occlusion. One cases showed unchanged near complete occlusion. No aneurysmal bleeding, in-stent stenosis or thromboembolic complication was seen. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and modified Rankin scale scores remained unchanged from admission to discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our preliminary experience with the use of PED for the treatment of intradural VA dissecting aneurysms shows promising short-term results, making this technique a feasible and safe treatment option in patients suitable for this approach. However, long-term and larger cohort studies are needed to validate these results.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuroimaging and Intervention, Department of Radiology and New England Center for Stroke Research, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Anna Luisa
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9512-9461
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Kühn
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kan
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuroimaging and Intervention, Department of Radiology and New England Center for Stroke Research, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Massari
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuroimaging and Intervention, Department of Radiology and New England Center for Stroke Research, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: J Diego
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lozano
authors.affiliation: Stroke and Neurovascular Center of Central California, Santa Barbara, California, USA.
authors.forename: Samuel Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuroimaging and Intervention, Department of Radiology and New England Center for Stroke Research, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Howk
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuroimaging and Intervention, Department of Radiology and New England Center for Stroke Research, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gounis
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuroimaging and Intervention, Department of Radiology and New England Center for Stroke Research, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Ajay K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Wakhloo
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuroimaging and Intervention, Department of Radiology and New England Center for Stroke Research, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Ajit S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Puri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020217:Vertebral Artery Dissection / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
keywords: Aneurysm; Dissection; Flow Diverter; Intervention