Blister-like aneurysms of the supraclinoid internal carotid artery: challenging endovascular treatment with stent-assisted coiling

Abstract

''Blister-like'' aneurysms of the supraclinoid segment of the internal carotid artery are usually small and have fragile walls, necessitating special care to prevent rebleeding. These lesions are considered high-risk aneurysms because of the technical difficulties associated with their surgical and endovascular treatment. In this report, we describe the use of stent-assisted, repeated coil embolization in the treatment of a ruptured blister-like aneurysm that experienced rapid growth. Stent-assisted coil embolization is an alternative, but sometimes hazardous, treatment for select blister-like aneurysms. Careful serial follow-up angiography will provide documentation as to the long-term stability of the endovascularly treated blister-like aneurysm described here, but early results are encouraging. Alternatively, placement of telescoped stents or graft-stent devices offers promise for future endovascular therapy.