Balloon-guided navigation technique to perform stenting in an acutely angled anterior cerebral artery

The complex anatomic features of wide-necked anterior communicating artery aneurysms represent an endovascular challenge. Compliant balloons and microstents are frequently required to achieve aneurysm occlusion. When the angle between the A1 and A2 segments is acute, microcatheter navigation is hazardous, and may be difficult or sometimes impossible with standard techniques. We present our technique using a support balloon to facilitate guidewire engagement and navigation of A2, and to assist with microcatheterization in this unfavorable vascular anatomy.