Pipeline for previously stented basilar trunk aneurysm: a case focusing on how the pipeline should be deployed

BACKGROUND: Recurrent, previously stented basilar trunk aneurysms pose significant challenges to either microsurgical clipping or traditional endovascular treatment. We here presented an intriguing case that was successfully treated by the pipeline embolization device (PED; ev3/Covidien Neurovascular, Irvine, California, USA). CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old male found a recurrent aneurysm, which had been treated with coiling and stent-assisted coiling before. The patient came to our center seeking for a third treatment. In our center, a single PED and additional coils were used to treat this refractory aneurysm. The whole length of the PED was delicately implanted in the previous Enterprise stent (Cordis Corporation, Miami FL, USA), which resembled the double-layer flow diverter FRED (Microvention, Tustin, California, USA). The inflow zone of the aneurysmal sac was further coiled considering that this aneurysm had ruptured. No procedure-related complications occurred. Follow-up angiogram at 6 months indicated that the intractable aneurysm was completely occluded and the patient was free from any neurologic deficit. CONCLUSIONS: This is a case that adds knowledge to improve the poor performance of flow diverters in previously stented aneurysms. However, future studies with larger group of patients are needed to further test the safety and efficacy of this technique.