Flow diverting stent placement for brain aneurysm

Brain aneurysm, based on the location and size, can also be treated endovascularly by a device called Flow diverter. It is a stent like device which can be placed in the parent vessel across the neck of aneurysm to divert the blood flow away from the aneurysm.

The flow diversion procedure is done to treat unruptured brain aneurysm and it removes the need to enter the cavity of aneurysm which always carries the risk of rupture and subsequent bleeding. Like coil embolization, flow diversion is a minimally invasive procedure performed by endovascular surgeon who will navigate a small tube like catheter through an artery in the groin. The surgeon will advance the catheter up to the vessel of brain from aneurysm is coming off and deploy the flow diverting device in the parent vessel across the neck of aneurysm.(see figure): With this technique, the flow to the aneurysm will be greatly diminished which will allow closure of aneurysmal sac.

Figure : Flow-Diverting Stent Aneurysm Treatment (Image courtesy of Stryker Neurovascular)

Figure : Cerebral angiogram showing deployment of flow diverting stent