Coil embolization of ruptured vertebral dissection in acute stage with interlocking detachable coils

BACKGROUND: Although dissecting aneurysm of vertebral artery is known as one of the causes of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in the posterior circulation, the best surgical treatment method remains controversial. METHOD AND RESULT: This 64-year-old woman was admitted to our service with headache due to SAH caused by a ruptured vertebral dissecting aneurysm in the distal portion of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. After confirming tolerance of parent artery occlusion by temporary balloon occlusion, both the dissection site and the proximal portion of the parent artery were occluded completely by interlocking detachable coils (IDCs) without any ischemic complications. The patient was discharged without any neurologic deficit on the 25th day after the therapy. CONCLUSION: The goal of treatment for the ruptured dissecting aneurysm is isolation of the dissection site from the circulation to prevent rerupture. In our case, endovascular occlusion with IDCs was sufficient to reach the goal. In cases with difficulties in the surgical approach, embolization of the dissection site with IDCs should be considered.