Introduction: We assessed the technical feasibility of balloon-assisted angioplasty with consecutive stenting using a flexible, self-expanding neurovascular stent for the treatment of intracranial arteriosclerotic vascular stenoses.
Methods: Five consecutive patients with symptomatic drug-resistant stenoses of the intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) or the main stem of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) were treated by balloon-assisted angioplasty with consecutive stenting using the Neuroform stent system.
Results: Balloon dilatation of the stenoses and consecutive stent placement with complete coverage of the stenoses was feasible in all patients. One patient suffered acute thrombosis distally to the stented vessel segment which was successfully treated by fibrinolysis, and one patient suffered acute subarachnoid and parenchymal hemorrhage probably due to vessel perforation. In the other three patients, no complications occurred during or immediately after angioplasty. All patients were free of further ischemic events up to the 6-month follow-up.
Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that the Neuroform stent system can used successfully for the treatment of intracranial stenoses of the ICA and the main stem of the MCA. Although immediate angiographic results are promising, long-term angiographic and clinical follow-up is essential to demonstrate long-term outcome.