Endovascular Therapy for Basilar Arterial Trunk Aneurysms

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Vascular Surgery
• Interventional Radiology

Background:

• Basilar artery (BA) trunk aneurysms are rare, often dissecting.
• Endovascular therapy (EVT) is the primary treatment, using single coiling or low-metal-coverage stent-assisted EVT.
• The efficacy of these EVT methods for BA trunk aneurysms requires further evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endovascular therapy (EVT) for basilar artery (BA) trunk aneurysms.
• To identify potential complications and outcomes associated with EVT in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 28 patients with basilar artery (BA) trunk aneurysms treated with EVT.
• Treatments included single coiling or conventional low-metal-coverage stent-assisted EVT.
• Patient demographics, complications, and outcomes were analyzed.

Main Results:

• The study included 28 patients (average age 53.7 years; 32.1% female).
• Complications occurred in 35.7% of patients, primarily ischemic (90%) and hemorrhagic (10%).
• Mortality was 17.9% (5/28), with 82.1% (23/28) of patients achieving good recovery.

Conclusions:

• Single coiling or conventional low-metal-coverage stent-assisted EVT for BA trunk aneurysms presents risks, mainly brainstem ischemia.
• Careful evaluation and protection of BA trunk perforators during EVT are crucial.
• EVT offers an acceptable prognosis for basilar artery trunk aneurysms, with a high rate of good recovery.