Flow diverter neuroendovascular stents - Reconstructive endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms - Single centre experience

Objectives: Flow diverter stents (FDS) are new neuroendovascular tools able to achieve the complete and curative treatment of aneurysm by reconstruction of the parent arteries from which the aneurysm arises. We present our initial experience with flow diverter embolization devices and follow-up results. Materials and Methods: Patients with large, giant and wide necked aneurysms, saccular, fusiform and recurrent aneurysms were selected for the treatment. All patients were pretreated with dual antiplatelet agents at least for 7 days before procedure and continued taking both agents for 3 months after treatment. A MRI was done after 3 months of treatment and digital subtraction angiogram was performed at 4 months of treatment. After 1 year both MRI and digital subtraction angiogram was performed. Results: 11 patients (age range 37 year to 79 year, mean 51.1) with 11 intracranial aneurysms were treated with 15 flow diverter stents. 9 aneurysm were located on the anterior circulation and 2 on posterior circulation. 8 aneurysms were large (10-25 mm), 2 were small (<10 mm) and 1 was giant (>25 mm) with mean largest diameter of 13.22 mm. 9 were saccular aneurysm and 2 were fusiform, out of these 3 were remnant of the previously treated aneurysm. Treatment was achieved with 10 Silk stents in 7 patients and 5 Pipeline embolization devices in 4 patients. The mean time between treatment and follow up was 9.6 months (range 4-12 months). One mortality was noted due to rebleed after 3 weeks of treatment. Complete angiographic occlusion was achieved in 9 (90%) patients after 4 months and 1 (10%) patient had near complete occlusion at 12 months. All the patients were stable clinically during follow up period. Conclusion: Endovascular treatment with FDS is safe, easy, and permanent treatment for the selected group of aneurysms. The complete occlusion rate in follow-up study approaches 100% with no angiographic recurrence in this study.