Endovascular parent artery occlusion in large-giant or fusiform distal posterior cerebral artery aneurysms

Abstract

Posterior cerebral artery aneurysms are amenable to deconstructive surgical treatment because of the rich collateral supply of the distal posterior cerebral artery. This report retrospectively analyses the outcome of endovascular parent artery occlusion for large or fusiform distal posterior cerebral artery aneurysms. Medical records and cerebral angiograms from two endovascular centres were analysed retrospectively. Eight patients with large or fusiform distal posterior cerebral artery (PCA) aneurysms were treated by endovascular occlusion of the segment of the PCA at the site of the aneurysm. Three of those were treated urgently after acute subarachnoid haemorrhage, the remainder had elective treatment. The clinical and angiographic outcomes in seven patients were assessed at 6 to 12 months. A single case of occipital infarction resulting in permanent homonymous hemianopia was the only permanent complication. Of the remaining patients, six made excellent recoveries and one was lost to follow-up. No recurrence or re-bleeding was noted. Endovascular parent artery occlusion may be an alternative to surgical parent artery occlusion in distal PCA aneurysms which are not convenient for selective endovascular treatment or surgical clipping.