Endovascular Management of Intracranial Vertebral Artery Dissection: Technical Nuances for the Preservation of Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery and Basilar Artery.

BACKGROUND

The treatment of intracranial vertebral artery dissection (VAD) can be challenging.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical presentation, endovascular treatment techniques, and prognostic outcome of patients diagnosed with intracranial VAD at our institution.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 35 patients who were diagnosed with VAD at our institution over 17-yr period (2001-2017) is presented. A total of 27 patients with a total of 30 affected arteries underwent endovascular treatment, and their outcome was evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the 35 total patients with VAD, 15 presented with headache, 12 with focal neurological deficits, 2 with neck pain, 2 with dizziness, 1 with syncope, and 3 after trauma. Of the 30 dissected arteries, 18 were treated with deconstruction and 12 were treated with stent reconstruction. Treatment method was determined by the dominance of the affected artery and location relative to the ipsilateral posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) and the basilar artery. Deconstructive techniques were utilized in all cases of hypoplastic artery dissection and the majority of codominant artery dissections, whereas reconstruction was performed on the majority of dominant artery dissections. Rupture did not impact treatment technique. Four patients demonstrated post-treatment infarcts, and another 1 patient died because of intraparenchymal bleed. The remaining 22 patients demonstrated favorable clinical outcome. None of the patients developed recanalization or needed retreatment till the last follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that endovascular treatment of intracranial VAD with deconstruction or stent reconstruction based on the patients anatomy, particularly vessel dominance and location with respect to PICA, is feasible and effective though the revascularization procedures still has its role in selected cases.