Lyophilizing thrombin powder-based treatment for hemostasis during coil embolization of ruptured cerebral aneurysm: Two case reports

Abstract

Background Rupture of cerebral aneurysm is an inevitable complication during embolization, followed by subsequent acute subarachnoid hemorrhage or intracranial hematoma, and results in the aggravation of a patient’s condition. In particular, for patients who have had a ruptured aneurysm, urgent treatment strategies are required during operation. The most common hemostatic methods seen in clinical practices are as follows: after lowering the blood pressure, we continue to embolize the aneurysms with detachable coils as soon as possible or inject with Glubran/Onyx embolization liquids, as well as use a balloon catheter to temporarily block the blood supply. If the conditions are permissible, a balloon guiding catheter may even be used to restrict the proximal blood flow. At times, due to limitations of these methods, neurosurgeons are requested to perform craniotomy to treat the hemostasis. However, the delayed transition often leads to rapid deterioration of the patient’s condition and even death due to cerebral hernia. Case description We herein presented two cases of ruptured cerebral aneurysms to provide an alternative method for hemostasis and to save the lives of patients as much as possible. In an extremely urgent situation (conventional treatment is ineffective), we successfully saved the patient’s life by injecting lyophilizing thrombin powder (LTP) solution into the aneurysmal sac and the parent artery through a microcatheter. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful hemostasis during coil embolization of ruptured cerebral aneurysm with LTP. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of LTP in cerebrovascular interventional therapy.