Endovascular Treatment for Complex Vascular Pathologies in the Pediatric Population: Experience from a Center with Dual-Trained Neurosurgeons

World Neurosurg. 2024 Sep:189:e696-e708. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.06.151. Epub 2024 Jul 2.

Abstract

Objective: Endovascular treatment of complex vascular pathologies in the pediatric population is often performed by nonpediatric subspecialists with adaptation of equipment and techniques developed for adult patients. We aimed to report our center's experience with safety and outcomes of endovascular treatments for pediatric vascular pathologies.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of our endovascular database. All patients ≤18 years who underwent endovascular treatment between January 1, 2004 and December 1, 2022 were included.

Results: During the study time frame, 118 cerebral angiograms were performed for interventional purposes in 55 patients. Of these patients, 8(14.5%) had intracranial aneurysms, 21(38.2%) had intracranial arteriovenous malformations, 6(10.9%) had tumors, 5(9.1%) had arterial occlusions (n = 3) or dissections (n = 2), 8(14.5%) had vein of Galen malformations, and 7(12.7%) had other cerebrovascular conditions. Of the total 118 procedures, access-site complications occurred in 2(1.7%), intraprocedural complications occurred in 3(2.5%), and transient neurological deficits were observed after 2(1.7%). Treatment-related mortality occurred in 1(1.8%) patient.

Conclusions: Neurointervention in pediatric patients was safe and effective in our experience.

Keywords: Aneurysm; Arteriovenous malformation; Ischemic stroke; Neurointervention; Pediatric; Trauma; Tumor.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cerebral Angiography
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / surgery
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Endovascular Procedures* / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / surgery
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations* / diagnostic imaging
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations* / surgery
  • Male
  • Neurosurgeons
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome