Transarterial treatment of direct carotico-cavernous fistulas with coils and Onyx.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of combination of liquid embolic agent ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx) and detachable coils in the treatment of direct carotico-cavernous fistulas (CCFs). METHODS: We prospectively collected clinical and radiological data of all patients who underwent embolization of direct CCFs at our institution over a period of 21 months. The clinical parameters, angioarchitecture, presence of cortical venous reflux, volume of Onyx used, number of coils used, extent of embolization and complications were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 21 consecutive patients (18 men and 3 women, 14 to 48 years) with direct CCF underwent embolization with a combination of coils and Onyx. Embolization was done through the arterial route in all cases. Complete obliteration of the fistula was achieved in 19 of 21 cases. Cast embolization in middle cerebral artery occurred in one patient; however, the cast was completely retrieved with Solitaire device, and the patient did not have any neurological deficit. All completely treated patients reported relief of symptoms at varying intervals. At 6-month follow-up, none of the patients with complete occlusion of the fistula showed any recurrence. CONCLUSION: The adjuvant use of Onyx with detachable coils in direct CCF through the arterial route is a safe and effective method for embolization with immediate and complete occlusion of the fistula. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case series of demonstration of arterial use of Onyx with coils in the treatment of direct CCFs.

Stent assisted coil embolization of wide-necked bilobed anterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm with incorporated artery arising from the dome: a technical note.

BACKGROUND: A technique for stent-assisted coil embolization of a bilobed wide-necked saccular aneurysm of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) with the AICA arising from the dome of the aneurysm is described. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A middle-aged patient was referred for treatment of a bilobed saccular aneurysm identified on a CT angiogram performed for a subarachnoid hemorrhage which occurred 20 days prior to presentation. A diagnostic angiogram showed a bilobed wide-necked saccular aneurysm at the AICA origin with the AICA arising from the dome of the aneurysm and also supplying the territory of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. The therapeutic procedure involved trans-aneurysmal cannulation of the AICA with the microcatheter left in situ. Another microcatheter was maneuvered into the larger dome of the aneurysm. A stent was then deployed in the basilar artery, jailing the previous microcatheter in the aneurysm. Helical Guglielmi detachable coils were deployed in the aneurysm resulting in complete occlusion of the aneurysm with preservation of the AICA. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to preserve a normal branch arising from the dome of an aneurysm although it is technically demanding and a relative limitation. This case report describes a technique of coiling a bilobed aneurysm with a vital branch arising from the dome, with preservation of the branch and complete occlusion of the aneurysm using two microcatheters and a stent. This expands the repertoire of endovascular treatment of complex aneurysms.