Endovascular treatment of vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm: A single-center experience

The aim of the present study was to explore the optimal treatment strategy for patients with vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms via the endovascular approach. A total of 47 patients (50 aneurysms, including 28 ruptured and 22 unruptured) underwent endovascular treatment between January 2012 and March 2018. Of these aneurysms, 18 were treated by parent artery occlusion, 11 by stent implantation and 21 by stent-assisted coiling. The complete occlusion rate was 100% (18/18) in aneurysms treated by parent artery occlusion and 46.9% (15/32) for stent implantation with or without coiling. External drainage was performed in 8 patients with ruptured aneurysms. Post-operative bleeding occurred in 2 patients treated by stent-assisted coiling. Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was performed in 4 patients due to delayed hydrocephalus. Post-operative frontal hematoma occurred in one patient treated by stent-assisted coiling. The mortality was 6.4% (3/47) prior to discharge. The recurrence rate was 8.3% (1/12) in aneurysms treated by parent artery occlusion and 13.6% (3/22) in those treated by stent implantation with or without coiling. A total of 39 patients were followed up for 14.56±14.91 months. The good outcome rates were 100% (28/28) in patients with unruptured aneurysms and a Hunt-Hess grade of 1–3, and 72.7% (8/11) in patients with a Hunt-Hess grade of 4 or 5. In conclusion, the present study indicated that endovascular treatment is a safe and efficient method for patients with vertebral artery aneurysm. The treatment strategy should be based on the patient's condition and aneurysmal characteristics. Parent artery occlusion may be suitable for selected patients with ruptured vertebral artery aneurysms.