RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Endovascular Treatment of Carotid and Vertebral Pseudoaneurysms with Covered Stents JF American Journal of Neuroradiology JO Am. J. Neuroradiol. FD American Society of Neuroradiology SP 983 OP 987 DO 10.3174/ajnr.A0946 VO 29 IS 5 A1 A.C. Yi A1 E. Palmer A1 G.Y. Luh A1 J.P. Jacobson A1 D.C. Smith YR 2008 UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/29/5/983.abstract AB BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular treatment of vascular lesions has revolutionized the treatment of arterial pseudoaneurysms. We describe our experience in treating carotid or vertebral pseudoaneurysms with covered stents.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with carotid or vertebral pseudoaneurysms treated with self-expanding or balloon-expandable covered stents were retrospectively reviewed after we obtained institutional review board approval. Distal protection devices were not used. All patients except 1 received anticoagulation therapy. Antiplatelet therapy was used in 8 of 10 patients. Follow-up was performed from 5 days to 25 months. Patients were followed with digital subtraction angiography, CT angiography (CTA), and/or sonography (US).RESULTS: Pseudoaneurysm occlusion was obtained in all 10 patients. None of the pseudoaneurysms recanalized during the follow-up period. One patient had a distal embolization to the middle cerebral artery despite anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy. One patient who did not receive any anticoagulation had stent occlusion at 4.5 months. Anticoagulation was stopped after 6 months in 2 patients with persistent stent patency and no neurologic complications for >1 year. Both US and CTA were useful for extracranial stent surveillance. CTA was helpful for intracranial stent surveillance.CONCLUSION: In this small series, the use of covered stents allowed safe and effective treatment of pseudoaneurysms occurring in the cervical and cephalic segments of the carotid and vertebral arteries.