OBJECTIVE

To explore the predictors of periprocedural complications and angiographic outcomes in large and giant intracranial posterior circulation aneurysms after endovascular treatment.

METHODS

Data from 99 patients with 103 large (≥10 mm; n = 94) and giant (>25 mm; n = 9) posterior circulation aneurysms treated with endovascular therapy at a single center were retrospectively analyzed. The treatment procedures included endovascular trapping (n = 15), coiling (n = 6), stent only (n = 10), stent-assisted coiling (n = 48), and pipeline embolization device (PED; n = 24). The outcome endpoints were the number of periprocedural complications and number of complete occlusions without any complication.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis revealed that intradural vertebral aneurysms (P = 0.041) and aneurysms ≤25 mm (P = 0.042) were associated with low periprocedural complication rates after endovascular therapy. Aneurysms not involving side branches (P = 0.024) and intradural vertebral aneurysms (P = 0.032) were predictors of complete aneurysm obliteration. No statistically significant differences were found in aneurysmal complete obliteration (P = 0.119) or periprocedural complications (P = 0.248) between a PED and traditional stent and coiling. Additionally, aneurysms not involving side branches (P = 0.030), intradural vertebral artery aneurysms (P = 0.003), and aneurysms treated with a PED (P = 0.020) were more likely to achieve complete occlusion over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Aneurysm location, aneurysm size, and side branch involvement were predictors of periprocedural complications and angiographic outcomes of endovascular therapy for large and giant intracranial posterior circulation aneurysms. PED use provided no advantages compared with traditional stent and coiling in aneurysmal occlusion rates and periprocedural complications. Large case-control and long-term follow-up studies are needed to further explore the predictors of complications and angiographic outcomes and optimal treatment options for these aneurysms.