Keywords
blood blister-like aneurysm - middle cerebral artery - Leo Plus Baby stent
Introduction
Blister aneurysms were described in 1988 by Takashi, as focal small arterial wall
defect and subsequent vessel wall bulge covered with thin fibrous tissue at nonbranching
site.[1]
[2] They differ from the typical saccular aneurysm in terms of histology, morphology,
and location.[3] Among the location, supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) is the most commonly
described location, particularly involving the dorsomedial wall.[1] Other locations such as anterior communicating artery (ACOM) and basilar artery
have been described.[4] Middle cerebral artery (MCA) is one of the rare sites of involvement. Management
options for these aneurysms are surgical (wrapping, clipping, trapping, and, if required,
extracranial-intracranial bypass) or endovascular (parent artery occlusion, single/overlapping
stents along with coiling and flow diverter placement).[5]
[6]
[7] Certain anatomical locations of blister aneurysm make these treatment options challenging
with increased morbidity. MCA bifurcation/trifurcation blister aneurysm is one such
location where aforementioned options are often difficult. Surgical treatment has
increased risk of both morbidity as well as mortality. We report a case of MCA bifurcation
blister aneurysm treated with single (monotherapy) braided stent-assisted coil embolization
using shelfing technique that enabled us to achieve good outcome with preserved flow
in MCA divisions. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of MCA divisions
blister aneurysm treated with braided stent-assisted coil embolization. We discussed
the technical details of the procedure in treating these extremely fragile aneurysms.
Case Report
Clinical History
A 64-year-old female patient was referred to our hospital with history of sudden-onset
severe headache and vomiting, followed by loss of consciousness. On neurologic examination,
she had neck rigidity with altered sensorium (Glasgow coma scale [GCS] of E4V1M6 and
WFNS grade IV). The patient had vasospasm-related acute cortical infarcts in left
MCA territory resulting in aphasia. No motor deficit was noted. She was evaluated
with computed tomography (CT) of the brain, which showed acute subarachnoid hemorrhage
(modified Fischer’s grade of 3). Diagnostic cerebral angiogram showed focal fusiform
dilatation near the origin of superior division of the MCA with small bleb-like blister
aneurysm arising from dilated segment ([Fig. 1]). Considering the aneurysm morphologic features such as small size, ill-defined
wall, stasis of the contrast on delayed angiogram phase, and fusiform dilatation of
the base, this was diagnosed to be probable blister aneurysm. Superior division of
the MCA measured 1.4 mm in largest caliber. This case was discussed with the neurosurgery
team for possible surgical options. Owing to small size of aneurysm and high risk
of intraoperative rupture during the surgery, decision of endovascular treatment was
taken.
Fig. 1 (A) Diagnostic angiogram showing focal fusiform dilatation at the MCA trifurcation with
bleb-like blister aneurysm arising from it (arrow). (B) Delayed phase angiogram showing contrast stasis in blister aneurysm (arrow). (C) Surface-shaded 3D rotational angiogram image showing detailed morphology of the aneurysm
in relation to the superior division of the MCA (arrow). (D) Proposed plan of stent deployment with shelfing technique to cover the fusiform base
of the aneurysm (black line).
Technical Considerations
Preprocedural loading dose of aspirin (300 mg) and ticagrelor (180 mg) was given 2 hours
before the procedure. Under GA, 6F long sheath (70 cm, Flexor Raabe Sheath, Cook Medical)
was placed into the left common carotid artery. After this, 6F (0.070 ID) DAC (distal
access catheter; Concentric Medical) guiding catheter was placed till the petrous
ICA. Three-dimensional (3D) rotational angiography and directed two-dimensional (2D)
working angles were taken for the further procedure. Using the Synchro microwire (Stryker
Neurovascular) and Vasco-10 microcatheter (Balt Extrusion), superior division of the
left MCA was catheterized for the stent placement.
Hyperacute curve was given to the microwire tip (Synchro) to catheterize the superior
division of MCA. For aneurysm catheterization, manual shaping of the microcatheter
tip was done to adapt to the MCA curves and aneurysm direction, based on 3D rotational
angiography. Two curves were given; the proximal curve to adapt to the concave anterior
curve of MCA-M1 segment and the distal curve perpendicular to the proximal one ([Fig. 2]). This allowed the catheter tip to point superiorly toward the aneurysm sac and
negated the need to place microwire into the sac. Microcatheter position was further
adjusted over the first few loops of the coil. The careful consideration was given
to coiling microcatheter position and angulation relative to aneurysm for having stable
position during coiling along with stent deployment.
Fig. 2 (A) Three-dimensional (3D) transparent images showing the proximal curve of the MCA and
aneurysm direction relative to the parent artery (white line). (B) Shape of the introducer mandrel prior to microcatheter introduction showing the proposed
tip curve for microcatheter (arrow). (C) Microcatheter tip with shaping mandrel prior to steaming (arrow). (D) After removal of mandrel and steam shaping, microcatheter tip has adapted to the
proposed curvature of proximal MCA as well as aneurysm sac direction for the catheterization
(arrow).
Leo Plus Baby (Balt Extrusion) stent (2.5 × 25 mm) was deployed partially with shelfing
near the neck of the aneurysm. Shelfing technique involves partial deployment of stent
till the neck of the aneurysm. Thereafter both microcatheter and stent were loaded
to form bulge to cover the base of fusiform dilatation. This allowed an effective
covering of the fusiform base with single stent and provided support to coil mass
during further coiling. Deployment of the stent in superior division in our case also
resulted in remodeling of artery.
With partial deployment of stent, multiple coils were used for the embolization of
the blister aneurysm as well as fusiform base of aneurysm. Stent deployment was completed
with proximal extent till the left MCA-M1 segment. Post-procedure angiogram showed
complete occlusion of the bleb with minimal filling of the fusiform base and good
wall apposition of the stent ([Fig. 3]). Post-extubation, no neurologic deficits were noted. The patient had gradual recovery
over next 2-week period and discharged with GCS of 14 and modified Rankin’s scale
(mRS) of 1.
Fig. 3 (A) Roadmap image during the procedure showing coiling microcatheter inside the aneurysm
sac (arrow). (B) Roadmap image showing microcatheter for stent deployment in superior division of
the MCA (long arrow) and coiling microcatheter with few coil loops inside the aneurysm
sac (short arrow). (C) Roadmap image showing the partial deployment of the stent with shelfing near the
fusiform base of the aneurysm (arrow). (D) Native image showing the deployed stent with shelfing near the aneurysm base (long
arrow) and coil mass inside the aneurysm sac (short arrow). (E) Final angiogram showing complete occlusion of blister with minimal filling of fusiform
base (arrow) and preserved flow in all three divisions of the MCA. (F) Six-month follow-up angiogram showing complete aneurysm occlusion along with remodeling
of the superior division of the MCA (curved arrow). Preserved flow into middle division
(single long arrows) and inferior division (single short thick arrow) of MCA is noted.
Six months follow-up angiogram showed complete occlusion of the aneurysm as well as
fusiform base (Raymond-Roy class 1) with parent artery reconstruction (superior division
of the MCA). The patient had good clinical outcome with mRS of 0.
Discussion
Incidence of the blood blister-like aneurysms (BBA) is rare and seen in 0.3 to 1%
of all intracranial aneurysms.[2] They are known to be associated with young age, female sex, and systemic hypertension.[4] Etiology is considered to be secondary to hemodynamic stress, underlying atherosclerosis,
and possible dissection. On pathology, these are aneurysms with very thin wall covered
with fibrin and lacking collagenous tissue layer.[3] This results in their rapid regrowth and high tendency to rupture if not treated.
Among the locations, supraclinoid ICA is the most common site for blister aneurysm
with involvement of ACOM and basilar artery in few case series. MCA is a rarely reported
site for the blister aneurysm. Only one case series of three patients treated with
both surgical and endovascular method has been reported in the English literature.[8]
Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) with 3D rotational angiography remains gold
standard for the diagnosis of blister aneurysms. Lehman et al have reported use of
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the vessel wall, which showed T1 hyperintense
clot overlying the aneurysm wall.[9] Smaller size, fragile wall, wide neck, and adjacent parent artery involvement pose
significant challenge for the management of this aneurysm. Surgical options are direct
clipping, clipping with wrapping of the aneurysm sac, trapping, direct suturing, and
if required, extracranial-intracranial bypass. Recent analysis of all surgical technique
in blister aneurysm has showed significant intraprocedural rupture and morbidity as
well as recurrence.[10] Modern endovascular devices such as flow diverter and overlapping stents has shown
promising results.[1]
[7] Flow diverter is the emerging treatment option for the ICA blister aneurysms.
For the management of our case, we considered both surgical and endovascular options.
Surgical clipping was considered to have high risk of intraprocedural rupture whereas
wrapping has possible risk of re-rupture with subsequent morbidity. Overlapping stents,
flow diverter in the superior division, Y-stenting, and simple coiling were considered
as endovascular treatment options. Certain morphologic features of the adjacent vessels
can have significant impact on the endovascular treatment selection. Our patient had
kink in the superior division of the MCA (which was predominantly involved by aneurysm
neck). Flow diverter stent can have issues in opening, especially in small tortuous
segment vessels. Long-term patency of covered inferior division after flow diverter
placement was also questionable. Another option of complex reconstruction using Y-stenting
was considered. However, the recent review has showed significantly technical difficulties
and procedural complications in these complex reconstructions.[11] Hence Leo Plus Baby assisted coil embolization with shelfing technique was considered
suitable option for our patient.
Leo Plus Baby is self-expandable braided stent with closed cell construction. They
have a relatively smaller cell size (~ 0.9 mm in Leo Plus Baby) in comparison to laser
cut intracranial stents.[12] Therefore, they have high pore density and low porosity. The cell size changes with
the deployment techniques and forces applied along the stent. This property of braided
stents is helpful to create a “shelf” to support coil mass using a single stent at
the neck of a wide-necked bifurcation aneurysm and therefore excludes the need for
Y/X-stenting. Partial deployment of the stent allowed movement of coiling microcatheter
during the procedure. It helped in reconstruction of the branch artery as well as
neck of the aneurysm with possible flow diversion effect in long-term leading to aneurysm
occlusion.[12]
Shelfing technique with single-braided stent to avoid complex Y-reconstruction of
wide neck bifurcation aneurysm is reported with LVIS Jr stent (MicroVention; Terumo).[13] To our knowledge, this is the first case report of MCA bifurcation blister aneurysm
treated with Leo stent monotherapy using shelfing technique.
In conclusion, MCA bifurcation/trifurcation is a rare location of the blister aneurysm.
These can be effectively treated with braided stent monotherapy-assisted coil embolization.
These microstents can have flow diverter effect secondary to their high pore density.
Shelfing technique using these stents achieves favorable parent artery reconstruction
with single stent. Our experience also highlights the utility of microstents (size
2–3 mm) in smaller arteries, which may help in parent artery reconstruction.
Source(s) of Support
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Presentation at a Meeting
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