Subtype-tailored endovascular management of basilar trunk aneurysms: safety, efficacy, and technical insights from a cohort of 33 patients

BackgroundThe optimal endovascular treatment strategy for basilar artery trunk aneurysms (BATAs) remains a subject of ongoing debate.PurposeTo report the experience of management strategies for different types of BATA, with a focus on safety, efficacy, and mid-term outcomes.Material and MethodsA total of 33 consecutive BATAs (19 dissecting, 9 lateral saccular, 5 fusiform) were retrospectively analyzed. The treatment protocol consisted of overlapping stent-assisted coiling (SAC) for dissecting and ruptured cases, single SAC for lateral saccular aneurysms, and flow diverters (FDs) for most fusiform aneurysms; giant fusiform BATAs were treated with dual Leo-plus stents. The primary outcome measure was the 3-month clinical outcome.ResultsSAC was performed in 30 patients (8 single SAC; 22 overlapping SAC), and FD was used in 3 patients. Immediate occlusion was Raymond class 1 in 14/30 (46.7%), class 2 in 11/30 (36.7%), and class 3 in 5/30 (16.7%) among SAC-treated aneurysms; all FD-treated aneurysms (3/33) were OKM-B immediately. One patient died due to intraprocedural re-rupture of a dissecting aneurysm. Periprocedural ischemic complications occurred in 1 (3.0%) patient. A periprocedural hemorrhagic event occurred in 1/4 ruptured cases (overlapping SAC). One delayed ischemic stroke followed FD (mRS at 3 months = 4). At the 3-month follow-up, 30 patients (90.9%, 95% CI=75.1-97.3) achieved favorable outcomes. DSA follow-up (n = 27) demonstrated complete occlusion in 21 aneurysms (77.8%, 95% CI=59.2-89.4).ConclusionEndovascular treatment of BATAs is technically feasible and encouraging, characterized by high occlusion rates and acceptable morbidity rates. The use of overlapping SAC and judicious FD application may optimize treatment outcomes, especially for complex subtypes.