Endovascular treatment of intracranial vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm, a case series study with two years follow up on complications

BACKGROUND: This study is aimed to analyze the clinical outcomes of endovascular treatments for patients with intracranial vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms. METHODS: Clinical data of 32 patients with vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms who underwent endovascular procedures in the Department of Neurosurgery of our University from January 2016 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Nine cases were treated with endovascular occlusion; 23 cases received reconstructive treatment, including 20 cases of stent combined with coil embolization, and 3 cases of stent implantation. The angiography taken at 3–22 months after surgery was reviewed. RESULTS: The endovascular treatments for all 32 cases were successful. Thirty-one cases had no postoperative complications during index hospital. Mid-term follow-up showed that: 27 cases (84%) had embolism; 5 cases (16%) had recurrence, of which 4 cases were treated again with endovascular procedures followed with no further complications and no recurrence, and 1 case received closely monitor but no reoperation. During an average follow-up of 10.5 months, except for one case that was self-discharged due to end-stage brainstem compression and respiratory failure, the rest of the patients were in stable conditions without bleeding or infarction. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment of intracranial vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms is safe and effective. Recurrent vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms can be treated with endovascular reoperations with satisfactory outcomes.