Treatment strategy for giant thrombosed aneurysm of the basilar artery with associated obstructive hydrocephalus

BACKGROUND: There is no established adequate treatment for thrombosed aneurysm of the basilar artery with obstructive hydrocephalus. We conducted coil embolization and peritoneal shunting followed by placement of a stent expected to exert flow diversion (FD) effects to treat 2 patients with giant thrombosed aneurysms of the basilar artery with associated obstructive hydrocephalus, with good results. METHODS: From April 2019 to March 2021, consecutive two cases of symptomatic hydrocephalus due to giant thrombosed aneurysms in the posterior cranial fossa at our hospital were treated. At first, coil embolization was performed to prevent aneurysm rupture. After coil embolization, ventriculoperitoneal shunting was performed. Finally, stent-assisted coil embolization was performed with flow re-direction endoluminal device (FRED) or low-profile visualized intraluminal support device (LVIS) stent. RESULTS: Both patients were discharged after recovering well, with no postoperative hemorrhagic or ischemic complications. CONCLUSION: Staged surgery using a FRED for flow diverter or an LVIS stent expected to have FD effects may offer an effective treatment option.