Balloon-Assistance for the Transcirculation Access of a Remodeling Balloon for Coiling of Wide-Necked Aneurysms: Report of Two Cases

Balloons are valuable tools in the armamentarium of a neurointerventionist. In this report, we describe 2 cases in which a balloon aided in the navigation of a second remodeling balloon through difficult vascular anatomy. The first case was a patient with a ruptured proximal posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm and the second case was a patient with a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm. In both cases, the coiling microcatheter and the remodeling balloon catheters were advanced through different vessels. The remodeling balloon reached the target location using a transcirculation approach, and the navigation of the remodeling balloon was aided by utilizing a second balloon. Challenging vascular anatomy is often encountered when performing neuroendovascular procedures. The strategy of using balloon assistance for the transcirculation access of a remodeling balloon can be used successfully in difficult situations to manage complex aneurysms.