Ruptured basilar artery perforator aneurysms--treatment regimen and long-term follow-up in eight cases

Abstract

Introduction: Basilar artery (BA) perforator aneurysms may lead to severe subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The acute management is uncertain. The anatomic approach is challenging both for coiling and clipping, and flow diverter stenting may be dangerous due to the required antiplatelet therapy. We report on our experiences in eight patients.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed eight patients with ruptured BA perforator aneurysm, including clinical characteristics, imaging data, treatment regimen, clinical course, and long-term outcome.

Results: Patients presented with major SAH and World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) scores of I in three, II in two, and V in three cases. In four patients, the aneurysm was detected in the initial angiography, in four only in follow-up angiography. Five patients were treated conservatively and three patients had endovascular therapy. In the conservative group, the aneurysm spontaneously thrombosed in three cases. One patient suffered from a re-SAH and stayed permanently dependent due to an associated perforator stroke (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 5). The remaining four patients recovered well (mRS 0 and 1 in two cases, each) including three patients also exhibiting perforator strokes. Regarding the endovascular group, one parent vessel was an angioma feeder and embolized with Onyx. The second aneurysm spontaneously thrombosed periinterventionally. The third patient underwent coiling. Two parent vessels were occluded postinterventionally, resulting in perforator strokes. Final mRS scores were 0, 2, and 2, respectively.

Conclusion: Conservative management of ruptured BA aneurysms might be a first-line treatment option with common spontaneous aneurysm occlusion, low rate of re-SAH, and promising clinical outcome.

Keywords: Basilar artery; Conservative therapy; Perforator aneurysm; SAH.