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Recurrent/Residual Aneurysms

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Abstract

Recurrent aneurysm after surgical clipping and endovascular embolization is common. The treatment strategies are variable depending on the scenario. No consensus on when and how to treat the recurrent aneurysm is reached in practice. Recurrent rate and natural history of recurrent/residual aneurysm after different treatment methods are reviewed from the literature. The mechanisms of recurrence and timing of treatment are also discussed. The strategies of embolization for different situations as below are described:

  1. 1.

    Recurrent/residual aneurysms after primary coiling without stenting.

  2. 2.

    Previously stented recurrent/residual aneurysms.

  3. 3.

    Flow-diverter stent-treated residual aneurysm.

  4. 4.

    Recurrence/residual after surgical clipping.

  5. 5.

    Recurrence/residual after intrasaccular flow diversion device treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Case Presentation

Case Presentation

Case 13.1 Recurrent Previously Coiled Ruptured PICA Aneurysm Treated with Recoiling

Case Pearls

  1. 1.

    Recoiling is the first option for narrowed-neck recurrent aneurysm.

  2. 2.

    Good neck framing without blocking the takeoff of the branch can possibly be obtained by re-deploying and adjusting the framing coil.

  3. 3.

    The tip of the microcatheter at the entrance of the neck for the last filing is practical if the microcatheter is kicked back.

  4. 4.

    Neck residual is a risk factor for recurrence.

figure a

(a): Presenting head CT showing SAH (WFNS grade 4, GCS 10); (b): 3D angiogram showing a 5x3 mm left PICA aneurysm with aspect ratio >2; (c): 2D embolization view; (d): post-embo run with slight neck residual; (e and j): recurrence (combination of neck regrowth and coil compaction) on 7-month follow-up angiogram, given the previous rupture history, retreatment planned; (fi and kn): 2 embo working views for recoiling, first coil (Target XL coil 3x6) (f, k) with protrusion into lumen, changed to a smaller coil (Target EL 2x6) with good neck coverage with open takeoff of PICA (g, l). Add additional coil (Target Nano 1x3) (h, m), the tip of microcatheter at the entrance of the neck for the last filing coil (arrow). Final run showing RR grade I occlusion (i, n); (o): 8 months from recoiling follow-up showing no residual/recurrence

Case 13.2 Recurrent Previously Coiled BA Aneurysm Treated with SAC with Go Through Technique

Case Pearls

  1. 1.

    SAC may increase the packing density and lower the chance of recurrence.

  2. 2.

    Normally one stent instead of “Y” stent will be enough for BA tip aneurysm.

  3. 3.

    “Going through” SAC technique is more likely successful at BA tip aneurysm than side wall branching point aneurysms.

figure b

(a): 3D angiogram for referred recurrent wide-neck BA tip aneurysm from previous primary coiling; (b): pre-embo 2D working view for the best view of the neck; (c, d): single stent placed from the left PCA to BA given more left PCA involvement of the neck. Stent (yellow dot line) makes “wide” to “narrow” neck (red line); (e, f): coiling catheter goes through stent interstices with good framing; (g, h): additional filling coils to finish the embolization; (i): final run post-coiling. (j): 6-month follow-up angiogram

Case 13.3 Recurrent Previously Coiled BA Aneurysm Treated with “Y” Stent

Case Pearls

  1. 1.

    “Y” stent is normally not needed for the native aneurysm, given one stent can reformat the aneurysm from wide neck to narrow neck.

  2. 2.

    Recurrence from previously stent-assisted coiling can have further neck incorporation of branching vessel to become wide neck again; “Y” stent may be needed.

  3. 3.

    BA tip aneurysm is one of the aneurysm locations with a high chance of recurrence with either primary coiling or SAC.

figure c

(a): 3D angiogram for referred recurrent wide-neck previously SAC BA tip aneurysm (no previous post-embo images available for comparison); (b, c): pre-embo 2D views for the best view of the neck and relationship with parent vessels, inserts: un-subtracted images and single shot for stent contour; (d, e): one stent placed from the left PCA to BA through previously placed stent, and framing coil placement, inserts: single shot for stent contour; (f, g): final run post-coiling. (h): 6-month follow-up angiogram with minimal neck residual; (i): 18-month MRA follow-up showing more neck residual; (j): 26-month follow-up, increased neck residual

Case 13.4 FD Stent for Recurrent/Residual Aneurysms

Case Pearls

  1. 1.

    FD device is a good choice for recurrent previously coiled paraclinoid ICA aneurysms. FD for recurrent previously SAC cases was also reported.

  2. 2.

    FD has a high chance of complete obliteration of non-fetal-type PComA aneurysms.

  3. 3.

    FD can be the second stage of the treatment strategy for the residual of ruptured wide-neck aneurysm (simple coiling first to secure the dome and then definitive FD or SAC treatment when recovered from SAH).

figure d

(a): 3D angiogram of a patient with previous coiling of ruptured PComA aneurysm showing a large recurrence with irregular shape and wide neck; (b): posterior circulation run showing both PCA exist and the PComA is not fetal type; (c, d): pre-embo 2D views for the best view of the neck of aneurysm and distal and proximal landing zone of FD device; (e, f): post-PED (4.25x16 and 4.25x12) angiogram; (g, h): 8-month follow-up angiogram with complete obliteration of recurrence and patent PED; (ik): comparison of PComA change between pre-embo (i), immediate PED (j), and follow-up (k) angiograms

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Ren, Z. (2022). Recurrent/Residual Aneurysms. In: Eight Aneurysms. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-97216-5_13

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