Endovascular Treatment of Superior Cerebellar Artery Aneurysms

Abstract

AIM: To present our experience on superior cerebellar artery (SCA) aneurysms treated with embolization by using current endovascular techniques. MATERIAL and METHODS: All SCA aneurysms treated by our endovascular team since 2013 were retrospectively evaluated. Clinical information and angiographic findings on presentation, during treatment and on follow-up were noted.

RESULTS: Endovascular treatment was the primary treatment method for SCA aneurysms during the study period. Twenty three patients (15 female, 8 male) with a mean age of 50.6 years, 12 of whom with subarachnoid hemorrhage were treated. Treatments included coiling (56%), stent assisted coiling, stentriever assisted coiling, Y stent assisted coiling and flow diversion with either flow diverter placement or telescopic stenting. Two patients died secondary to consequences of subarachnoid hemorrhage. The outcome of 1 patient was Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 3 and the outcome of remaining 20 patients was mRS 0. The rates of aneurysm occlusion according to Raymond-Roy classification were: class 1 in 11 patients, class 2 in 6 patients and class 3 in 2 patients on a mean follow-up of 15.3 months. Only one patient required retreatment.

CONCLUSION: Current endovascular techniques are able to address the high rate of recanalization and retreatment of SCA aneurysms which are currently the major drawbacks associated with primary coiling when compared with surgical treatment. It remains to be shown if use of these latest techniques are associated with increased risk of thromboembolic events.