The white-collar sign after Neuroform Atlas stent-assisted coil embolization of unruptured intracranial aneurysms

Abstract

Purpose Although stent-assisted technique is expected to help provide a scaffold for neointima formation at the orifice of the aneurysm, not all aneurysms treated with stent-assisted technique develop complete neointima formation. The white-collar sign (WCS) indicates neointimal tissue formation at the aneurysm neck that prevents aneurysm recanalization. The aim of this study was to explore factors related to WCS appearance after stent-assisted coil embolization of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). Methods A total of 59 UIAs treated with a Neuroform Atlas stent were retrospectively analyzed. The WCS was identified on digital subtraction angiography (DSA) 1 year after coil embolization. The cohort was divided into WCS-positive and WCS-negative groups, and possible predictors of the WCS were explored using logistic regression analysis. Results The WCS appeared in 20 aneurysms (33.9%). In the WCS-positive group, neck size was significantly smaller (4.2 (interquartile range (IQR): 3.8–4.6) versus 5.4 (IQR: 4.2–6.8) mm, p = .006), the VER was significantly higher (31.8% (IQR: 28.6%–38.4%) versus 27.6% (IQR: 23.6%–33.8%), p = .02), and the rate of RROC class 1 immediately after treatment was significantly higher (70% vs 20.5%, p < .001) than in the WCS-negative group. On multivariate analysis, neck size (odds ratio (OR): 0.542, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.308–0.954; p = .03) and RROC class 1 immediately after treatment (OR: 6.99, 95% CI: 1.769–27.55; p = .006) were independent predictors of WCS appearance. Conclusions Smaller neck size and complete occlusion immediately after treatment were significant factors related to WCS appearance in stent-assisted coil embolization for UIAs using the Neuroform Atlas stent.