Intra-aneurysmal looping technique of microcatheters for stent-assisted embolization of intracranial aneurysms

Objective To investigate the safety and feasibility of intra-aneurysmal looping technique for stent-assisted embolization of complicated intracranial aneurysms.Methods Twenty-one complicated intracranial aneurysms were treated successfully using intra-aneurysmal looping technique for stent-assisted coil embolization.Coil embolization was performed after the microcathetes and stents were implanted to cover the aneurismal neck using exchanging technique.Results Stents were implanted successfully in all of the 21 cases.The success ratio was 100％.Except for 1 case with perforation of distal vessels,none was suffered from rupture of the aneurysm or occlusion of its parent artery.Seven cases were treated using Tubridge flow diverters.Among the other 14 cases treated by conventional stents,the immediate results of dense embolization or neck residual were obtained in 12 cases and partial embolization in the other 2 cases.All cases received both clinical and radiological follow-up.None of the 21 cases developed new neurologic deficit during the follow-up period.Among them,14 cases were followed-up by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and the results showed no recurrence.While the results of 7 cases followed-up by MRA showed recurrence in 3 cases.Conclusions Intra-aneurysmal looping technique of microcatheters for stent-assisted embolization was safe and feasible in the treatment of endovascular treatment of complicated intracranial aneurysms.Reasonable choice of the patients and materials were the promises of successful application of the technique. Key words: Intracranial aneurysm;  Endovascular treatment;  Stent