Endovascular treatment of unruptured A1 segment aneurysms

Aneurysms of the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery (A1A) are rare and challenging to treat. Less information is available regarding their management by endovascular approach. We evaluated our experience of endovascular treatment in 15 patients with unruptured A1As. We retrospectively reviewed unruptured A1As treated by embolization at our hospital. The clinical data and angiographic results were reviewed. A special technique involving shaping microcatheter tips was used for catheterization. From September 2009 to December 2012, 15 patients presenting with unruptured A1As were identified. All the patients were treated by selective embolization including five patients with balloon-assisted coiling (BAC) or stent-assisted coiling (SAC). These adjunctive techniques were used to catheterize the sac safely or to protect a branch at the neck. According to the location and direction of the aneurysm, "Z-shaped", "S-Shaped" or "U-Shaped" microcatheter tip shaping was used for microcatheter positioning and stabilization. All patients showed an excellent clinical outcome. A complete aneurysm occlusion was obtained in all the patients. Endovascular treatment of A1As is feasible and associated with good results. Because of their location and close relationship with perforators, endovascular treatment of A1As sometimes requires the use of BAC or SAC. The microcatheter tip shaping technique is very important for coiling. Our results suggest that endovascular treatment is a suitable therapeutic option for unruptured A1As when the aneurysm size is optimal for embolization.