Coiling of ruptured, wide-necked basilar tip aneurysm using double Comaneci technique.

In this report, we present a novel technique of successful coil embolisation using temporary deployment of two Comaneci devices placed in Y configuration across a wide-neck ruptured basilar tip aneurysm. The placement of two devices across the wide aneurysm neck allowed optimal coverage for safe coil delivery, while maintaining parent vessel patency. This case highlights the unique and safe applicability of two crossed Comaneci devices in a ruptured aneurysm with unfavourable anatomy, ultimately resulting in complete aneurysm obliteration. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of double Comaneci usage in a wide-neck ruptured aneurysm. This technique can be potentially applied in challenging wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms, particularly when double antiplatelet therapy is of concern. © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Background

Endovascular treatment of ruptured wide-neck basilar tip aneurysms remains a difficult task because of their rare prevalence and specific anatomy. Given the dreadful postrupture clinical outcome and higher rebleeding tendency, the treatment of these lesions requires safe and reliable approach. Various endovascular techniques, such as Y-stenting, balloon-assisted coiling and intrasaccular devices aim at stabilising the coil mass in the target aneurysm. However, some of these techniques have significant limitations in the presence of unfavourable anatomy and subarachnoid haemorrhage due to high risk of thromboembolic complications and the need for double antiplatelet therapy.1–3 The new temporary bridging Comaneci is a non-detachable, fully retrievable device designed for bridging aneurysm neck during coil delivery. One of the main advantages of this device is controlled radial expansion to a desired diameter, allowing precise aneurysm neck coverage. Another important advantage of Comaneci is that it does not block the blood flow in the parent vessel during deployment. In addition, no dual antiplatelet therapy is required while it is being used. The fully radiopaque and compliant mesh of the device offers sufficient and stable coverage over the aneurysmal neck.4–6

Case presentation

A 40-year-old man with a history of hypertension, smoking and alcohol abuse presented to our hospital with an acute subarachnoid haemorrhage due to a ruptured basilar tip aneurysm. CT angiography confirmed aneurysmal configuration of 6.8 mm neck and 8.6 mm dome. The origins of both posterior cerebral arteries (PCAs) and superior cerebellar artery (SCAs) arose from the very base of the aneurysmal sac. Given the presence of severe subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) (Fisher IV), the size and the location of the aneurysm, endovascular approach was considered as the best treatment option after multidisciplinary discussion between interventional neuroradiology and neurosurgery teams.

Treatment

The patient and his relatives were informed about the procedure according to the local institutional policy. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient regarding any possible complications. The aneurysmal embolisation was performed under general anaesthesia and via transfemoral approach. A 6 Fr Chaperon guiding catheter (Microvention) and a 5 Fr guider were navigated in the left and right vertebral arteries over an exchange-length wire. Under roadmap guidance, an Echelon microcatheter was advanced over a microwire inside the aneurysmal sac. Echelon 10 microcatheter was nagivated into both the right and left PCAs and placed distally. The decision of using a COMANECI ‘17 was made on precise measurements of the PCAs and the aneurysmal geometry. The two Comaneci devices were then fully flushed and loaded inside the microcatheters. A few initial loops of the first coil were made to make sure the microcatheter is anchored inside the aneurysmal sac. Each device was then unsheathed by sequential removal of each Echelon microcatheter, while the coil remained undetached within the aneurysm dome. The devices were then carefully expanded across the aneurysm neck by cautious expansion of the bridging mesh via the control handle. Control angiogram was performed to ensure optimal wall apposition and patent flow within the parent and distal vessels (figure 1).

Figure 1

Road map with both expanded devices after placement of the first coil and control angiogram was performed to ensure optimal wall apposition and patent flow within the parent and distal vessels.

Then, the coil was detached and more coils were delivered within the microcatheter which remained in stable position inside the aneurysm dome. Both devices were manually deflated before detachment of the last coils (figure 2).

Figure 2

Magnified view demonstrating the deployed Comaneci devices form the distal basilar artery into the bilateral posterior cerebral arteries. Arrows point at the proximal and distal markers of the devices. Magnified unsubtracted images at the completion of the case demonstrating stable and unchanged position of the devices (proximal arrows) and slightly deflected distal marker of the microcatheter within the base of the aneurysm, but outside the parent vessel.

Serial control angiograms were performed to confirm successful and safe aneurysmal embolisation. Comaneci device remained deployed for approximately 25 min. No coil protrusion and no complications were observed on the final angiography. Both devices were recaptured into the microcatheter and withdrawn from the parent arteries. Intravenous heparin was administered during the procedure to maintain an activated clotting time between 250 and 300 s. No dual antiplatelet therapy was assigned to the patient before and after the treatment.

Outcome and follow-up

Almost complete aneurysmal occlusion was observed at the conclusion of the treatment with minimal contrast penetration at the base of the coil mass (figure 3). The patient recovered fully after the procedure and the subarachnoid haemorrhage. The neurological examination at discharge showed no abnormalities or acquired deficits. On the third-month follow-up angiogram, there was no evidence of aneurysmal recurrence or coil compaction with no visible contrast penetration within the coil mass, compatible with complete obliteration (figure 4).

Figure 3

Immediate postprocedure angiogram demonstrating densely packed aneurysm dome with near complete obliteration and widely patent parent posterior cerebral artery and SCAs.

Figure 4

Three-month follow-up angiogram demonstrating completely obliterated aneurysm with no visible contrast penetration within the coil mass and persistently widely patent parent posterior cerebral artery and SCA.

Discussion

To our knowledge, this is the first case report describing a temporary neck bridging technique during coil embolisation with double Comaneci device placement, ultimately resulting in successful embolisation of a ruptured wide-neck basilar tip aneurysm, while maintaining parent vessel patency. To date, all published case-series report usage of Comaneci device in unruptured aneurysms in anterior circulation. In addition, some authors have suggested the need of double antiplatelet therapy to prevent any possible device-related complications. In the present case, the patient did not receive any antiplatelet therapy, and no thromboembolic complications were observed.

There are multiple published case-series and papers describing various neck-bridging techniques such as Y-stenting and balloon-assisted coiling in the treatment of ruptured wide-neck basilar tip aneurysms,6 7 however our careful literature observation showed no report of double Comaneci technique in the treatment of such lesions.

The main advantages and technological difficulties in applying the aforementioned techniques are well known and carefully studied.8 In a rupture case scenario with presence of subarachnoid haemorrhage, thromboembolic complications and parent vessel spasm due to the usage of the device are of theoretical concern. However, no device-related complications were recorded in our initial and early experience with this new temporary bridging device.9 This is valid also for this particular case.

We view this technique as a new approach in the endovascular treatment of complex ruptured or unruptured wide-neck aneurysms. The main advantage of using double Comaneci is complete and solid aneurysm neck coverage, allowing intra-aneurysmal coil mass stability and avoidance of parent vessel protrusion. In addition, in our case, the anatomy was particularly challenging as both PCAs were incorporated into the aneurysm base. The radial force of the widely expanded devices in the PCAs allowed persistent parent vessel patency during the coiling and after the completion of the procedure. This technique can be potentially applied in other aneurysms with similar anatomical configuration, particularly in cases when permanent delivery of intravascular devices within the parent vessels and double antiplatelet therapy are contraindicated.

Comaneci is an effective novel device for the treatment of complex and wide-neck intracranial aneurysms, particularly in the presence of subarachnoid haemorrhage as no double antiplatelet therapy is necessary during device deployment.

Double Comaneci placement across a wide-neck basilar tip aneurysm allows optimal neck coverage during coil embolisation, while maintaining parent vessel patency.

Once properly deployed across the aneurysmal neck, no further deflation and inflation of the devices are required.

This novel technique may be applied for successful coil embolisation of ruptured wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms.