Initial single centre experience with Barrel VRD stent in large neck aneurisms

Introduction. Despite the use of new techniques, such as Y-stenting, the waffle-cone technique and intrasaccular flow disrupters the treatment of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms is still challenging, especially for those where adjacent branches are arising at the neck level. Moreover, the use of flow diverter stents in bifurcation aneurysms has been proposed by several teams, although the results remain controversial.This study is reflecting initial experience in our department with a relatively new device available on the market: Barrel VRD stent. The unique design feature of the device is the “belly-like” central part of the stent which protects the adjacent branches.Methods. We retrospectively reviewed all patients in whom stenting with braided or laser-cut stents had been performed in our center. Three patients were identified and analyzed. Technical success, complications, immediate angiographic outcomes, procedural data, are reported here.Results. One MCA bifurcation and two basilar tip large neck aneurysms with one branch arising from the neck level have been identified. Technical success was achieved in all procedures. Overall procedure-related morbidity and mortality was 0%. In the immediate post-treatment angiography, adequate occlusion (neck remnant or total occlusion) was observed in all patients. Short- and mild-term follow-up angiography showed adequate occlusion of the aneurysms.Conclusions. In this small case series, retrospective single-center analysis we showed that Barrel VRD - stent assisted coiling is a safe and feasible technique. Moreover, it offers an elegant and effective endovascular solution for large neck basilar tip aneurysms on which the neurosurgical clipping remains challenging.