Endovascular treatment with ‘kissing’ flow diverter stents of two unruptured aneurysms at a fenestrated vertebrobasilar junction

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Fenestration of the vertebrobasilar junction (VBJ) is a rare condition which may be associated with the presence of aneurysms. The endovascular approach is usually the first-line treatment in these cases since the location of the aneurysm may be unsuitable for a surgical approach. This anatomical variation may even influence the endovascular strategy, particularly in those cases in which the sacrifice of a vessel could be avoided. This paper describes an innovative approach of flow diversion in such challenging situations. METHODS: Two women were admitted after an occasional diagnosis of an aneurysm arising from a fenestrated VBJ. In both cases the endovascular approach was performed with two flow diverter stents and dual antiplatelet therapy was administered for 6 months. RESULTS: Complete exclusion of the two aneurysms was obtained after 6 and 7 months, respectively, and the clinical outcome was excellent. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment of unruptured aneurysms located on a fenestrated VBJ with flow diverter stents represents a valid therapeutic approach with excellent clinical and radiological outcomes.