Aneurysm Flow Diversion

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Aneurysm Treatment With Flow Diversion 

Aneurysm flow diversion is an advanced, minimally invasive endovascular procedure used to treat wide-neck, large, or fusiform brain aneurysms that cannot be safely managed with traditional clipping or coiling. 

With a focus on preserving neurological function and preventing rupture, New Jersey Brain and Spine (NJBS) neurosurgical and endovascular specialists use state-of-the-art imaging and device technology to perform this procedure safely and effectively.

What is aneurysm flow diversion?

Aneurysm flow diversion is a minimally invasive technique for brain aneurysms in which the surgeon uses a catheter to place a small mesh tube, or stent, inside a blood vessel where an aneurysm has formed. The stent redirects blood flow away from the aneurysm, allowing the vessel to clot and heal and reducing the risk of rupture.

Aneurysm flow diversion has seen a significant increase in use over the past decade, with more than 100,000 patients treated worldwide in the last 12 years, according to Endovascular Today. 

How is aneurysm flow diversion performed?

Flow diversion is typically performed under general anesthesia using an endovascular technique. A flexible catheter is inserted into a blood vessel, usually through the groin, and navigated to the aneurysm site in the brain, where the surgeon places the flow diverter across the neck of the aneurysm. The mesh structure of the device slows the flow of blood entering the aneurysm and encourages clotting inside the sac. Over time, the body’s natural healing response seals off the aneurysm, and the parent artery remodels.

The procedure usually takes 1 to 2 hours and has a short recovery time compared to open surgery. Recovery after the flow diversion is typically quick. Most patients stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days for observation. After returning home, patients can expect a gradual return to their daily activities over the next 1 to 2 weeks.

When is aneurysm flow diversion recommended?

Not every aneurysm can be treated with this approach. Our experts carefully evaluate each case to determine the safest and most effective strategy.

A patient may be a good candidate for aneurysm flow diversion when:  

• Traditional clipping or coiling is too risky or has failed
• The aneurysm is large, giant, or fusiform
•  The aneurysm has a wide neck that makes coil retention difficult
• The aneurysm is located in arteries where surgical access is complex

Dr. Yevgenia Shekhtman, M.D., a board-certified neurosurgeon and Director of Neurosurgical Education at the Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute at JFK University Medical Center, specializes in the surgical management of brain tumors and degenerative spine conditions, utilizing minimally invasive techniques. As an affiliated physician with New Jersey Brain and Spine, Dr. Shekhtman brings her expertise to the center, ensuring that patients benefit from her advanced skill set and comprehensive approach to neurosurgical care.

Risks and Benefits of flow diversion for brain aneurysms

At NJBS, we use FDA-approved devices and perform these procedures with a multidisciplinary team of board-certified neurosurgeons and neurologists, significantly reducing the risk of complications. Like many surgical procedures, aneurysm flow diversion offers significant benefits. While risks are rare, they are comparable to those seen with other interventions.

Benefits

• Minimally invasive with less pain and shorter recovery time
• Effective for aneurysms not treatable by other methods
• Low recurrence rates
• Long-term blood vessel healing and aneurysm blocking

Risks 

• Stroke or blood clots
• In-stent thrombosis (clotting inside the stent)
• Delayed aneurysm rupture (rare)
• Reaction to blood thinners

Case Study: Successful Aneurysm Flow Diversion 

Frank, a 54-year-old musician from Paramus, New Jersey, began experiencing persistent headaches and occasional blurred vision when fatigued. Advanced MRI imaging revealed an unruptured, 9 mm wide-necked saccular aneurysm located at the right internal carotid artery, ophthalmic segment, unsuitable for simple coiling or clipping. 

The NJBS team developed a personalized treatment plan involving aneurysm flow diversion. The surgical team successfully used a catheter to place a stent inside the blood vessel where the aneurysm was formed. The stent successfully redirected blood flow away from the aneurysm, allowing the vessel to clot and heal and reducing the risk of rupture.

Frank’s headaches and vision problems subsided and he is thriving one-year post surgery. 

Schedule a Consultation with our Aneurysm Specialists

At NJBS, our highly trained, board-certified specialists have treated thousands of patients with brain aneurysms using the latest minimally invasive techniques whenever possible, including aneurysm flow diversion, providing superior outcomes. As the region’s most experienced neurovascular center, we prioritize personalized, compassionate care, always choosing the safest and most effective treatment. If you or a loved one is facing a brain aneurysm diagnosis, contact any one of our offices in Paramus, Hackensack, or Montclair to find out if flow diversion is the right treatment for you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Aneurysm Flow Diversion