"Stent view" flat-detector CT and stent-assisted treatment strategies for complex intracranial aneurysms

Abstract

Background: Complex intracranial aneurysms are often treated with endovascular stent-assisted coiling. Intracranial stents are difficult to visualize with conventional computed tomography (CT) or fluoroscopy. "Stent view" flat-detector CT can be used to visualize intracranial stents during endovascular treatment.

Methods: Three patients underwent endovascular treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms. Stent view flat-detector CT was used to study stent placement and morphology in vivo.

Results: Stent view CT was successful in visualizing stents in all patients. In two patients, stent morphology rendered endovascular coiling technically unfeasible; in one patient, visualization of stent strut herniation into the aneurysm lumen allowed successful coil embolization of the aneurysm.

Conclusions: Stent view CT provided detailed imaging of stent placement and morphology in all three cases. The technique influenced treatment decisions and technical outcomes. Stent view CT is a valuable intraprocedural technical tool in stent-assisted endovascular procedures.