Endovascular treatment of patients with distal aneurysms of cerebellar arteries

Abstract

Aim. To evaluate short- and long‑term angiographic and clinical outcomes of endovascular treatment of patients with distal aneurysms of cerebellar arteries.Materials and methods. The outcomes of endovascular treatment of 6 patients with distal aneurysms of cerebellar arteries who underwent surgery at the Neurosurgical Division No. 3 of the Polenov Russian Research Institute of Neurosurgery between January 1 of 2017 and March 31 of 2023 were analyzed.Results. The following endovascular methods were used: occlusion of the aneurysm sac using only detachable coils (n = 2); occlusion using stent‑assisted coiling (n = 3); deconstructive intervention with occlusion of the main artery (n = 1).  In 1 of 2 cases of coil‑only aneurysm occlusion, additional stent‑assisted occlusion was performed due to recurrence. Among 6 aneurysms, 1 (16.65 %) aneurysm was radically excluded from the blood flow (class А); 4 (66.7 %) were excluded subtotally (class B); 1 (16.65 %) was excluded partially (class С). Control angiography at least 6 months after showed radical exclusion of the aneurysm from the blood flow (class A) in 5 (83.3 %) patients, subtotal exclusion (class В) in 1 (16.7 %) patient. Clinical outcome was excellent in 5 (83.3 %) patients (0 points per the modified Rankin scale); in 1 patient after deconstructive surgery, augmentation of neurological symptoms with following partial regression was observed (2 points per the modified Rankin scale). Complications during deconstructive surgery were observed in 1 (16.7 %) patient.Conclusion. Deconstructive surgery of the distal aneurysms of cerebellar arteries can be associated with high risk of postoperative ischemic complications with development of persisting neurological deficit. Surgical interventions with preservation of the artery lumen (including reconstructive surgeries) should be the method of choice in endovascular treatment of distal aneurysms of cerebellar arteries due to minimal risk of ischemic complications and improved clinical outcomes of surgical treatment.