[Distal Radial Approach for Neuroendovascular Procedure:Initial Experience]

We report the initial experience of the distal radial approach(DRA)via the anatomical snuffbox for various neuroendovascular procedures. DRA was attempted in 16 patients and catheterization of the targeted vessel was successfully performed in 15. In one patient, the puncture was successful, but the wire could not be advanced into the radial artery and a switch to the conventional transradial approach was needed. Among the 15 patients who underwent successful DRA, five patients underwent diagnostic cerebral angiography, five underwent coil embolization of a cerebral aneurysm, three underwent carotid artery stenting, one underwent liquid embolization of an arteriovenous malformation, and one underwent liquid embolization of a chronic subdural hematoma. Operability during the procedures was favorable and good hemostasis was obtained in all cases. There were no complications related to this approach. Our initial experience demonstrates that DRA is technically feasible for various neuroendovascular procedures. It can be a less invasive alternative to the conventional approach.