Endovascular Treatment of Very Small Intracranial Aneurysms: Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Outcomes of endovascular treatment of very small intracranial aneurysms are still not well-characterized. Recently, several series assessing coil embolization of tiny aneurysms have presented new promising results. Thus, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies evaluating endovascular treatment of very small intracranial aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a computerized search of Scopus, Medline, and the Web of Science for studies on endovascular treatment of very small (≤3 mm in diameter) intracranial aneurysms published between January 1996 and May 2015. Using a random-effects model, we evaluated clinical and angiographic outcomes. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies with 1105 tiny aneurysms (844 ruptured and 261 unruptured) endovascularly treated were included. Postoperative and long-term complete occlusion was achieved in 85% (95% CI, 78%-90%) and 91% (95% CI, 87%-94%) of aneurysms, respectively. The recanalization rate was 6% (95% CI, 4%-11%) and retreatment occurred in 7% (95% CI, 5%-9%) of cases. Seventy-nine percent (95% CI, 64%-89%) of patients had good neurologic outcome at long-term follow-up. Intraprocedural rupture occurred in 7% (95% CI, 5%-9%) of the coiling procedures, while thromboembolic complications occurred in 4% (95% CI, 3%-6%). CONCLUSIONS: Coil embolization of very small intracranial aneurysms can be performed safely and effectively. In the case of unruptured aneurysms, procedure-related complications are not negligible. Patients and providers should consider such risks when engaged in a shared decision-making process.

Carotid and cranial nerve reconstruction after removal of cavernous sinus lesions.

During the last 7 years, approximately 170 neoplasms, and 35 vascular lesions involving the cavernous sinus were treated by the first two authors. During the treatment of such lesions, the direct vein graft reconstruction of the internal carotid artery from the petrous to the supraclinoid or infraclinoid ICA was performed in 23 patients. Graft occlusion occurred in 3 patients and in one of these, it was successfully salvaged by placing a long venous graft from the extracranial ICA to the M3 segment of the middle cerebral artery. The latter 3 patients were neurologically normal. One patient with significant atherosclerotic disease suffered the dissection of the distal internal carotid artery with the graft being patent. The suturing technique. This patient eventually died. Two patients with severely compromised collateral circulation suffered minor strokes due to the temporary occlusion of the ICA. This has been avoided in the more recent patients by the adoption of brain protection techniques such as moderate hypothermia, induced hypertension, and barbiturate coma. Low dose heparin therapy during grafting and high dose intravenous steroids prior to the grafting also appear to be beneficial. Direct vein graft reconstruction of the intracavernous carotid artery is a valuable tool during the management of cavernous sinus lesions. The advantages and disadvantages of this technique as well as the pros and cons of other revascularization techniques will be discussed. During microsurgical removal of cavernous sinus lesions, the cranial nerves III-VI were reconstructed by direct resuture or by nerve grafting in 16 patients. In the majority of these patients, recovery of cranial nerve function was observed, which was very encouraging.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)