Long-term Outcome of Endovascular Reconstruction with the Pipeline Embolization Device in the Management of Unruptured Dissecting Aneurysms of the Intracranial Vertebral Artery

Object: Use of a flow-diverting device has shown promising short-term results in the management of vertebral artery (VA) dissecting aneurysms, but there is still uncertainty regarding its long-term efficacy and safety. The authors report their initial experience with respect to the potential utility and long-term clinical outcomes of using a flow-diverting device in the treatment of unruptured dissecting VA aneurysms.

Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective review of all cases of unruptured intracranial VA dissecting aneurysms treated at their institution (Tuen Mun Hospital) with a flow-diverting device. They describe the clinical presentations and angiographic features of the cases and report the clinical outcome (with modified Rankin Scale [mRS] scores) at most recent follow-up, as well as results of the latest angiographic assessment, with particular focus on in-stent patency and side-branch occlusion.

Results: A total of 4 aneurysms were successfully obliterated by using flow-diverting devices alone. Two devices were deployed in a telescoping fashion in each of 2 aneurysms, whereas only 1 device was inserted in each of the other 2 aneurysms. No periprocedural complication was encountered. No patient showed any angiographic evidence of recurrence, in-stent thrombosis, or side-branch occlusion in angiographic reassessment at a mean of 22 months after treatment (range 18-24 months). As of the most recent clinical follow-up (mean 30 months after treatment, range 24-37 months), all patients had favorable outcomes (mRS Score 0).

Conclusions: Reconstruction using a flow-diverting device is an attractive alternative in definitive treatment of dissecting VA aneurysms, demonstrating favorable long-term clinical and angiographic outcomes and the ability to maintain parent artery and side-branch patency. It is particularly useful in cases with eloquent side-branch or dominant VA involvement.