J Cerebrovasc Endovasc Neurosurg.  2023 Sep;25(3):311-315. 10.7461/jcen.2022.E2022.07.009.

Circulation remodeling after flow diversion of an anterior communicating artery aneurysm: A case report

Affiliations
  • 1University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, Biddeford, ME, USA
  • 2Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
  • 3Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
  • 4Northern Light Neurosurgery and Spine, Bangor, ME, USA

Abstract

Anterior communicating artery aneurysms are the most common intracranial aneurysm and have a high risk of rupture which can lead to morbidity and mortality. Traditionally, intracranial aneurysms were treated by clipping with neurosurgical access. However, certain patients may prefer less invasive approaches or not represent open surgical candidates. Flow diverters, including flow-redirection endoluminal devices (FRED), are new-generation stents that are placed endovascularly by transfemoral or transradial access. Recent studies have demonstrated that FRED is both safe and effective, with complete occlusion of aneurysms in over 90% of patients. This case highlights an interesting phenomenon of post-flow diversion circulatory remodeling, where flow diverter treatment can alter the circle of Willis anatomy and physiology.

Keyword

FRED coil; Endothelialization; ACOM aneurysm; Neurology

Figure

  • Fig. 1. (A) Anteroposterior projection of right internal cerebral artery (ICA) contrast injection. The right anterior communicating artery (ACOM) fills from the ipsilateral right ICA. (B) Anteroposterior projection of left ICA contrast injection. The left ACOM fills from the ipsilateral left ICA. (C) Oblique working projection of left ICA contrast injection. There is a 3.9×1.9 mm ACOM aneurysm. The ACOM has an “X” configuration. (D) As the arrows indicate, native working projection immediately following treatment. There is a FRED junior stent (arrows) from the left A1 segment, covering the neck of the ACOM aneurysm, and into the right A2 segment. (E) Fifteen-month follow-up native oblique working projection. There is a FRED junior stent from the left A1 segment, covering the neck of the ACOM aneurysm, and into the right A2 segment as indicated by the arrows. (F) Fifteen-month follow-up oblique working projection of left ICA contrast injection. There is no residual aneurysm filling. (G) Fifteen-month follow-up anteroposterior projection of right ICA contrast injection. The contralateral left ACOM fills from the right ICA. (H) Fifteen-month follow-up anteroposterior projection of left ICA contrast injection. The contralateral right ACOM fills from the left ICA. FRED, flow-redirection endoluminal device


Reference

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