Endovascular Embolization of Basilar Artery Fenestration Aneurysms: A 21-Year Institutional Case Series

Basilar artery fenestration is a rare phenomenon sometimes associated with basilar artery fenestration aneurysms (BAFAs). This review investigates the natural history and management outcomes of BAFAs and describes the outcomes of BAFAs treated with embolization.

A single-center database was queried for all cases of endovascular BAFA treatment. Data on complications, clinical and angiographic outcomes, and retreatment rates were collected.

Seventeen aneurysms across 17 patients were treated. The mean (SD) age was 56 (13) years, and 15 (88%) patients were women. Among 15 aneurysms with data available, 2 arose from the fenestration limbs and 13 from both limbs and the vertebral artery. Of 16 aneurysmal projections available, 7 projected anteriorly, 7 posteriorly, and 2 superiorly. Among 17 patients, balloon-assisted coiling was the most common treatment (n = 10), followed by primary coiling (n = 3), stent-assisted coiling (n = 2), coiling with flow diversion (n = 1), and balloon-assisted coiling and flow diversion (n = 1). Complications noted in 5 patients included hemorrhage, thromboembolism, paresthesias, vasospasm, and transient hemiparesis. Among 16 patients with postoperative results available, 12 showed favorable clinical outcomes, 3 were disabled, and 1 died. The rates of postoperative complete (Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification 1) and incomplete (Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification 2 and 3) occlusion among 15 patients with available data were 6 and 9, respectively.

Endovascular management of these rare aneurysms is feasible and safe, with high rates of favorable radiographic and clinical outcomes. This series reflects a general preference toward coiling and stent-assisted coiling, although flow diversion may be considered in select cases.