MY CONTENT

Controversy about the best treatment method for MCA aneurysms persists and these authors report the results of endovascular treatment of these lesions in a large series in which 295 such aneurysms were treated during a 17-year period and the results retrospectively analyzed. Complete occlusion was achieved in 94% and treatment failed in 4.3%. Procedure-related morbidity and mortality occurred in nearly 8%. Death occurred in 13.6% of patients and 4.3% needed to be re-treated. Thus, endovascular treatment of MCA aneurysms is acceptable as a primary treatment.

These authors analyzed data on 131 non-selected MCA aneurysms treated during a 6-year period. One month after treatment, permanent morbidity and mortality was 3.3% without significant differences according to technique used. The rate of recanalization was nearly 16%, also without differences according to technique, and re-treatment was needed in 7.6% of cases. A greater rate of complications occurred with balloon remodeling and only large aneurysm size predicted recanalization. The authors concluded that endovascular treatment of MCA aneurysms is safe, effective, and durable.