PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Da Ros, V. AU - Caroff, J. AU - Rouchaud, A. AU - Mihalea, C. AU - Ikka, L. AU - Moret, J. AU - Spelle, L. TI - Large Basilar Apex Aneurysms Treated with Flow-Diverter Stents AID - 10.3174/ajnr.A5167 DP - 2017 Jun 01 TA - American Journal of Neuroradiology PG - 1156--1162 VI - 38 IP - 6 4099 - http://www.ajnr.org/content/38/6/1156.short 4100 - http://www.ajnr.org/content/38/6/1156.full SO - Am. J. Neuroradiol.2017 Jun 01; 38 AB - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The treatment of wide-neck, large basilar apex aneurysms is challenging with either an endovascular or a surgical approach. The aim of the present study was to report our experience treating basilar apex aneurysms with flow-diverter stents and to evaluate their efficacy and safety profile in this specific anatomic condition.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from all consecutive patients treated with flow-diverter stents at our institution between January 2011 and January 2015. Patients with large basilar apex aneurysms treated with a flow-diverter stent were included in the study. Clinical presentations, technical details, intra- and perioperative complications, and clinical and angiographic outcomes were recorded, with a midterm follow-up.RESULTS: Of the 175 aneurysms treated with flow-diverter stents at our institution, 5 patients (2 women and 3 men; age range, 44–58 years) received flow-diverter stent for basilar apex aneurysms. The mean follow-up after stent deployment was 21 months (range, 15–24 months). One patient died on day 31 from an early postprocedural midbrain hemorrhage. One patient had a right cerebellar hemispheric ischemic lesion with a transient cerebellar syndrome resolved within 24 hours without neurologic sequelae at the latest follow-up. The mRS was 0 in 4 patients and 6 in 1 patient at last follow-up.CONCLUSIONS: Flow diversion is a feasible technique with an efficacy demonstrated at a midterm follow-up, especially in the case of basilar apex aneurysm recurrences after previous endovascular treatments. Concern about its safety profile still exists.BAAbasilar apex aneurysmmRRmodified Raymond-RoyPCAposterior cerebral artery