The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) as primary treatment for unruptured intracranial aneurysms

Purpose The intrasaccular flow disruptor Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device is developed for the treatment of wide-necked aneurysms without supportive devices. We used the WEB as primary treatment for unruptured aneurysms suitable for the device, regardless of neck size. Methods Between February 2015 and June 2017, 59 aneurysms in 51 patients were selectively treated with the WEB. There were 15 men and 36 women with a mean age of 59 years. Mean aneurysm size was 7.0 mm (range 3–22 mm). Of 59 aneurysms, 45 (76%) had a wide neck defined as ≥4 mm or dome-neck ratio ≤1.5. No stents or supporting balloons were used. Results Initial WEB position was judged good in all 59 unruptured aneurysms. One patient with a basilar tip aneurysm had a late thrombotic posterior cerebral artery occlusion by protrusion of the WEB over the artery. There were no procedural ruptures. Overall complication rate was 2.0% (1 of 51, 95% CI 0.01–11.3%). Imaging follow-up was available in 55 of 59 aneurysms (93%). At 3 months, 41 of 57 aneurysms (72%) were completely occluded, 12 (21%) had a neck remnant and 4 (7%) were incompletely occluded. Conclusion WEB treatment is safe and effective in selected unruptured aneurysms suitable for the device, regardless of neck size or location. There was no need for supportive devices. Three-quarters of all unruptured small aneurysms could be treated with the WEB. In our opinion, the WEB is a valuable alternative to coils, especially in wide-necked aneurysms.