Endovascular treatment for intracranial infectious aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE

To re-enforce an alternative, less aggressive treatment modality in the management of intracranial infectious aneurysms.

METHOD

We present a series of five patients with infectious endocarditis and intracranial infectious aneurysms (mycotic aneurysms) managed by means of endovascular treatment.

RESULTS

Endovascular treatment was executed technically uneventfully in all patients. Three patients had favorable clinical outcome: two were classified as Glasgow Outcome Scale 4/5, and one had total neurological recovery (GOS 5/5). Two patients died (GOS 1/5), one in consequence of the initial intracranial bleeding and the other after cardiac complications from endocarditis and open-heart surgery.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular techniques are an expanding option for the treatment of IIAs. It has been especially useful for infectious endocarditis patients with IIA, who will be submitted to cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and anticoagulation, with the risk of intracranial bleeding.