Short-term results following treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms with Pipeline embolization device

Objective To present preliminary experience and short-term safety and efficacy of pipeline embolization device (PED) for endovascular treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical data and short-term safety and efficacy was conducted on 42 patients who underwent endovascular treatment with PED at Neurosurgery Department of Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, from October 2014 to June 2016. Results A total of 42 patients with 44 intracranial aneurysms were treated with 49 PEDs during the study period. Retention of contrast agent in the aneurysm cavity was detected by immediate postoperative radiography for 42 aneurysms and contrast agent could still be observed following surgery in 2 other cases. Four patients had procedural complications. A total of 32 aneurysms of 31 patients were followed up for 2-12(mean: 6.6±1.9) months. Majority of the aneurysms (24/32, 75%) showed angiographic evidence of complete obliteration and 6 aneurysms (6/32, 19%) demonstrated angiographic evidence of near complete obliteration. Conclusion It is suggested that use of PED may offer a safe and effective strategy for treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm those observations. Key words: Intracranial aneurysm; Embolization, therapeutic; Pipeline embolization device; Flow diversion