Endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms with the use of stents in small cerebral vessels

Abstract

Objective: To report the results of the Neuroform, Leo and Wingspan stents used to treat cerebral aneurysms in vessels of small caliber.

Materials and methods: We reviewed 12 cases of wide-necked aneurysms treated with stent deployment into small cerebral vessels with diameter range from 1·0 to 2·5 mm. All stents were deployed for aneurysm treatment in combination with coiling. Aneurysm locations were as follows: A1 (n = 4), anterior communicating artery (n = 2), A2 (n = 1), M1 (n = 2), M2 (n = 1) and P1 (n = 2). Clinical follow-up ranged from 3 to 12 months. Imaging follow-up (range: 3-6 months) was performed with cerebral angiography.

Results: Twelve self-expanding stents (six Neuroform stents, three Leo stents and three Wingspan stents) were deployed for 12 wide-necked cerebral aneurysms arising from vessels measuring 2·5 mm in diameter. Eleven procedures were successfully performed without immediate or delayed device-related complications with one stent misplacement. Intraprocedural thrombus developed within the stent in one patient. There were no clinical neurological symptoms related to the treated vessel territory at clinical follow-up.

Conclusion: Development of newer small endovascular devices, such as Neuroform, Leo and Wingspan stents, allow access and ability to treat lesions farther out in the smaller cerebral vessels.

Keywords:

• Stent
• small vessel
• cerebral aneurysm