Stent salvage for parent vessel coil herniation during intracranial aneurysm embolization

Background: Despite accumulated experience and improved understanding of the tools, endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms still has risks associated with the technique itself and with the specificity of the pathology treated. An important risk is parent vessel Guglielmi detachable coil herniation. Here we review and illustrate our experiences in using a stent to manage this complication. Methods: We reviewed our experiences in 142 intracranial aneurysm embolizations over a four and a half year period and identified 13 cases with intravascular stent deployment. Three cases were unique in using a stent for salvage of coil herniation into the parent vessel. Results: We reported these cases and reviewed the literature for the management of parent vessel coil herniation. Conclusion: Parent vessel coil herniation was an uncommon but important complication of endovascular coiling of intracranial aneurysm. Intravascular stent placement provided a tool to sequester herniated coils from the lumen of the parent artery to minimize thromboembolic complications and restore flow.     

Balloon-assisted guglielmi detachable coil placement in wide-necked internal carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms: a report of four cases.

We present an endovascular technique for treating wide-necked ophthalmic aneurysms using Guglielmi detachable coils with simultaneous temporary balloon protection. Four illustrative cases of wide-necked ophthalmic aneurysms treated with Guglielmi detachable coils and a temporary balloon are presented. By blocking the parent artery with a non-detachable balloon, the coils could be safely placed in these aneurysms without herniation when the balloon was deflated. All patients exhibited embolic manifestations after the procedure, and the use of simultaneous temporary balloon protection allowed more dense intra-aneurysmal coil packing. Although this technique requires manipulation of a second microcatheter and balloon, which increases its technical difficulties and is a higher-risk procedure than the standard coil placement, it can be used for patients who are not candidates for surgery. Long-term follow-up is needed to determine the final outcome of aneurysms treated by this technique.     

Coil embolization of a ruptured posterior cerebral artery aneurysm via the internal carotid artery and a posterior communicating artery: a case report

A posterior cerebral artery aneurysm is a rare condition. Various surgical approaches have to be considered for operating on these aneurysms because the position of the aneurysm and the surrounding structures restrict the operative field and render the operation difficult. Recently, endovascular treatments for posterior cerebral artery aneurysms have been reported to provide a good outcome. We present a case of a ruptured posterior cerebral artery aneurysm treated with coil embolization. We adopted endovascular treatment because a large vein of Labbé was expected to restrict the operative field. The internal carotid artery and a fetal-type posterior communicating artery (PCoA) were chosen as the access route because of P1 hypoplasty, and a coaxial guiding system was used because of the tortuous access route. The aneurysm was suitably embolized using Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs). In a case of posterior cerebral artery aneurysm, we report the usefulness of endovascular treatment performed through the internal carotid artery and a fetal-type PCoA.     

Transluminal stent-assisted coil embolization of a vertebral confluence aneurysm: technique report

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in stent technology have allowed for negotiation of often tortuous posterior circulation intracranial vasculature. Stent-assisted coil embolization is a novel treatment for complex wide-necked aneurysms, as stents provide a buttress that allows for coil deposition while preventing coil herniation into the parent vessel lumen. We describe a case of stent-assisted coil embolization of a complex wide-necked vertebral confluence aneurysm. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 61-year-old woman presented with a Hunt-Hess III, Fisher Grade III subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to a ruptured vertebral confluence aneurysm demonstrated on angiography. The patient underwent emergent angiography and attempted coiling of a vertebral confluence aneurysm. Because of the aneurysm's complex wide neck and the presence of subclavian steal syndrome, the coils repeatedly herniated into the left vertebral and basilar artery lumina. A flexible coronary stent was deployed across the aneurysm neck, preventing coil herniation and allowing for greater coil deposition. The patient tolerated the procedure and underwent repeat coiling 2 months postoperatively because of mild coil compaction. This resulted in 100% occlusion and the patient is neurologically normal except for a sixth nerve palsy which had been present after the hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Recent advances in stent technology allow negotiation of the tortuous posterior circulation vasculature. Stent-assisted coil embolization of complex, wide-necked vertebral confluence aneurysms may be an alternative intervention for these surgically challenging lesions.     

Efficacy and current limitations of intravascular stents for intracranial internal carotid, vertebral, and basilar artery aneurysms.

OBJECT: Results of previous in vitro and in vivo experimental studies have suggested that placement of a porous stent within the parent artery across the aneurysm neck may hemodynamically uncouple the aneurysm from the parent vessel, leading to thrombosis of the aneurysm. For complex wide-necked aneurysms, a stent may also aid packing of the aneurysm with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs) by acting as a rigid scaffold that prevents coil herniation into the parent vessel. Recently, improved stent system delivery technology has allowed access to the tortuous vascular segments of the intracranial system. The authors report here on the use of intracranial stents to treat aneurysms involving different segments of the internal carotid artery (ICA), the vertebral artery (VA), and the basilar artery (BA). METHODS: Ten patients with intracranial aneurysms located at ICA segments (one petrous, two cavernous, and three paraclinoid aneurysms), the VA proximal to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery origin (one aneurysm), or the BA trunk (three aneurysms) were treated since January 1998. In eight patients, stent placement across the aneurysm neck was followed (immediately in four patients and at a separate procedure in the remaining four) by coil placement in the aneurysm, accomplished via a microcatheter through the stent mesh. In two patients, wide-necked aneurysms (one partially thrombosed BA trunk aneurysm and one paraclinoid segment aneurysm) were treated solely by stent placement; coil placement may follow later if necessary. No permanent periprocedural complications occurred and, at follow-up examination, no patient was found to have suffered symptoms referable to aneurysm growth or thromboembolic complications. Greater than 90% aneurysm occlusion was achieved in the eight patients treated by stent and coil placement as demonstrated on immediate postprocedural angiograms. Follow-up angiographic studies performed in six patients at least 3 months later (range 3-14 months) revealed only one incident of in-stent stenosis. In the four patients originally treated solely by stent placement, no evidence of aneurysm thrombosis was observed either immediately postprocedure or on follow-up angiographic studies performed 24 hours (two patients), 48 hours, and 3 months later, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A new generation of flexible stents can be used to treat complex aneurysms in difficult-to-access areas such as the proximal intracranial segments of the ICA, the VA, or the BA trunk. The stent allows tight coil packing even in the presence of a wide-necked, irregularly shaped aneurysm and may provide an endoluminal matrix for endothelial growth. Although convincing experimental evidence suggests that stent placement across the aneurysm neck may by itself promote intraluminal thrombosis, the role of this phenomenon in clinical practice may be limited at present by the high porosity of currently available stents.     

Review of endovascular stent‐assisted embolization for management of intracranial aneurysms

Objective: This was a retrospective review of the results using stent‐assisted coil embolization for management of intracranial aneurysms. Methods: The records of seven patients treated with stent‐assisted Gugliemi detachable coil (GDC) embolization were retrieved from the authors’ prospectively maintained database. The clinical presentation, site and type of aneurysms, treatment procedure and complications, and outcome of these identified cases were reviewed. Results: Between January 2002 and May 2004, seven patients with intracranial aneurysms, four of which were ruptured, were treated by stent‐assisted GDC embolization. Four aneurysms were located at the anterior circulation and three were at the posterior circulation. The indications for stent use were: giant aneurysm (>2.5 cm), dissecting pseudo‐aneurysm, broad‐necked aneurysm and the need for preservation of important parent arteries or branches. Concerning the technical aspect, all except one had successful stent deployment. One stent dislodged after apparent successful deployment. GDC embolization was continued and the aneurysm was partially occluded. More than 90% occlusion of aneurysm sac was achieved in six aneurysms. Intraoperative complications included over‐coagulation, failure in stent deployment, displacement of stent, coil entrapment and thromboembolism. One patient had added focal neurological deficit after the procedure, and one became vegetative due to an unrelated cause. The patient in whom the stent was dislodged suffered another subarachnoid haemorrhage 4 months later and died. Conclusion: Percutaneous intracranial stent is a new and useful device to assist embolization of cerebral aneurysms that were previously not amenable to endovascular therapy. These preliminary results suggest that this procedure could achieve satisfactory outcomes without significant complications.     

Balloon-assisted coil placement in wide-necked cerebral aneurysms: preliminary clinical experience

Endovascular treatment of wide-necked cerebral aneurysms with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs) has been limited due to coil protrusion into the artery. Seven patients with wide-necked cerebral aneurysms were treated with GDCs with temporary balloon inflation for mechanical protection during coil placement. Transarterial embolization of the aneurysm with GDCs had failed due to coil protrusion into the parent artery. The use of simultaneous temporary balloon protection achieved more dense intra-aneurysmal coil packing, especially in the neck, without compromising the parent artery.     

Topic review: surface modifications enhancing biological activity of guglielmi detachable coils in treating intracranial aneurysms

BACKGROUND: Endovascular therapy with Guglielmi detachable coils is an accepted treatment option for patients with intracranial aneurysms. However, an emerging technology in the realm of endovascular tools is the use of traditional Guglielmi detachable coils with biologically active substances complexed to the coil surface to enhance aneurysm occlusion. METHODS: We review the literature and current trends in modified Guglielmi detachable coils. Surface modifications with extracellular matrix proteins, growth factors, ion impregnation, and genetically altered cells have been used in animal studies to improve the cellular response of Guglielmi detachable coils. Similarly, coronary artery stents have been modified in several different ways to maintain vessel patency, contrary to the goal of endovascular therapy. We comparatively reviewed this literature to add insight into the evolution of the research on modified Guglielmi detachable coils. CONCLUSIONS: Guglielmi detachable coil modifications have the potential to enhance aneurysm obliteration with directed cellular responses. This may allow aneurysm occlusion with coils in less time than untreated coils, thus decreasing the risks of aneurysm enlargement and hemorrhage.     

Prevention and treatment of thromboembolic and ischemic complications associated with endovascular procedures: Part II--Clinical aspects and recommendations

We reviewed the incidence, risk factors, and clinical features of thromboembolic and ischemic events associated with diagnostic cerebral angiography, endovascular treatment of aneurysms using coils or balloons, angioplasty and stent placement to treat extracranial carotid artery stenosis, and embolization of arteriovenous malformations using glue or other embolic agents. We performed a cumulative analysis to determine the frequency and characteristics of these events and a subset analysis (whenever possible) to determine the benefits of various strategies for complication avoidance. Of the 1,547 patients who underwent Guglielmi detachable coil treatment, thromboembolic events were observed for 127 (8.2%), consisting of asymptomatic events for 12 patients, transient ischemic attacks for 29, and strokes for 86. The outcomes for the 86 patients with strokes were categorized as full recovery for 15, good recovery for 27, partial recovery for 19, no recovery for 11, death for 12, and undetermined outcome for 2. Of the 834 patients who underwent carotid angioplasty and stent placement, thromboembolic events were observed for 73 (8.8%), consisting of transient ischemic attacks for 26 patients and strokes for 47. The outcomes for the patients with strokes were categorized as full recovery for 20, good recovery for 15, partial recovery for 6, no recovery for 2, and death for 4. High rates of thromboembolic events were also observed with balloon occlusion of aneurysms (11%) or parent arteries (19%) and carotid angioplasty alone (5.9%). Arteriovenous malformation embolization was associated with an ischemic event/procedure rate of 9.4%. High rates of thromboembolic and ischemic complications, with subsequent morbidity and death, are associated with most endovascular procedures. Further research and the formulation of standard preventive guidelines may help to reduce these risks and improve the overall success of these procedures.     

A ruptured choroidal artery aneurysm of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery obliterated via the endovascular approach: case report

Intraventricular aneurysms associated with fourth ventricular hemorrhage are rare. A case of a ruptured aneurysm in a choroidal branch of the right anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) is reported here. A 56-year-old man presented with sudden onset of vertigo and nausea. CT scan showed an intraventricular hemorrhage within the fourth ventricle. Cerebellar angiography showed an aneurysm at the choroidal artery branching from the right AICA. The patient rejected both general anesthesia and craniotomy, so endovascular embolization under local anesthesia was performed using Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs) and a fibered platinum coil. The distal portion of the right AICA and the aneurysm were obliterated. His postoperative course was fairly satisfactory. He suffered from a minimal gait disturbance caused by truncal ataxia for several days after the operation. He was discharged from hospital without neurological deficit. There have been only a few articles about choroidal artery aneurysms. As treatment, direct surgery has been recommended in past cases, but endovascular embolization of the parent artery was successfully performed in this case. Not only direct surgery but also endovascular surgery may be regarded as the treatments of choice for intraventricular aneurysms, depending on the size of the parent artery.     

Endovascular surgery for very small ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Technical note

Application of endovascular surgery for very small aneurysms is controversial because of technical difficulties and high complication rates. The aim in the present study was to assess treatment results in a series of such lesions at one institution. Since 1997, endovascular surgery has been advocated for very small ruptured aneurysms (< 3 mm in maximum diameter) that fulfill the criterion of a fundus/neck ratio greater than 1.5. Twenty-one patients were treated, for whom the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies classification before treatment was Grade I in 10, Grade II in two, Grade III in two, Grade IV in five, and Grade V in two. The aneurysm location was the internal carotid artery in four, the anterior communicating artery in 11, the middle cerebral artery in one, and the vertebrobasilar system in five. In all patients, endovascular surgery was performed using Guglielmi detachable coils after induction of general anesthesia. Initially, the presumed volume of the lesions was calculated for each aneurysm. Thereafter, the appropriate coil length was decided according to the volume embolization ratio, as 30 to 40%. In all attempts to obliterate aneurysms a single coil was used. All aneurysms were completely obliterated as confirmed by postembolization angiography, without procedure-related complications. During the follow-up period only one patient needed additional coil embolization for a growing aneurysm. Final outcomes were good recovery in 15 patients, moderate disability in five, and severe disability in one. Appropriate selection of patients and coils, and use of sophisticated techniques allow a good outcome for patients with very small aneurysms.     

Recurrence of a vertebral artery dissecting pseudoaneurysm after successful stent-supported coil embolization: case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Dissecting aneurysms of the intracranial vertebral artery are increasingly recognized as a cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage. We present a case involving technical success of the stent-supported coil embolization but with recurrence of the dissecting pseudoaneurysm of the intracranial vertebral artery. The implications for the endovascular management of ruptured dissecting pseudoaneurysms of the intracranial vertebral artery are discussed. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 36-year-old man with a remote history of head injury had recovered functionally to the point of independent living. He experienced the spontaneous onset of severe head and neck pain, which progressed rapidly to obtundation. A computed tomographic scan of the head revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage centered in the posterior fossa. The patient underwent cerebral angiography, which revealed dilation of the distal left vertebral artery consistent with a dissecting pseudoaneurysm. INTERVENTION: Transfemoral access was achieved under general anesthesia, and two overlapping stents (3 mm in diameter and 14 mm long) were placed to cover the entire dissected segment. Follow-up angiography of the left vertebral artery showed the placement of the stents across the neck of the aneurysm; coil placement was satisfactory, with no residual aneurysm filling. Approximately 6 weeks after the patient's initial presentation, he developed the sudden onset of severe neck pain. A computed tomographic scan showed no subarachnoid hemorrhage, but computed tomographic angiography revealed that the previously treated left vertebral artery aneurysm had recurred. Angiography confirmed a recurrent pseudoaneurysm around the previously placed Guglielmi detachable coils. A test balloon occlusion was performed for 30 minutes. The patient's neurological examination was stable throughout the test occlusion period. Guglielmi detachable coil embolization of the left vertebral artery was then performed, sacrificing the artery at the level of the dissection. After the procedure was completed, no new neurological deficits occurred. On the second day after the procedure, the patient was discharged from the hospital. He was alert, oriented, and able to walk. CONCLUSION: We appreciate the value of preserving a parent vessel when a dissecting pseudoaneurysm of the intracranial vertebral artery ruptures in patients with inadequate collateral blood flow, in patients with disease involving the contralateral vertebral artery, or in patients with both. However, our case represents a cautionary note that patients treated in this fashion require close clinical follow-up. We suggest that parent vessel occlusion be considered the first option for treatment in patients who will tolerate sacrifice of the parent vessel along its diseased segment. In the future, covered stent technology may resolve this dilemma for many of these patients.     

Intentional neck-plastic incomplete clipping followed by coil embolization for broad-necked distal BA aneurysms]

OBJECTIVE: We report three patients with broad-necked distal basilar artery (BA) aneurysms treated with intentional incomplete clipping followed by endovascular occlusion using Guglielmi detachable coils. METHODS: The location of the aneurysms was BA bifurcation in one patient and BA-superior cerebellar artery (SCA) in two. One patient presented with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage and two patients had incidental aneurysms. In two patients, endovascular treatment was thought to be difficult considering the morphology of the aneurysms and surgical treatment was performed as the first choice of treatment. One patient with a BA-SCA aneurysm underwent endovascular treatment using a remodelling technique first. However, it was impossible to place the coil preserving SCA, so surgical treatment was performed. In all patients, the attempt to pursue complete clipping was considered to be accompanied with high risks of morbidity, so neck-plastic incomplete clipping was performed intentionally. One to six days after the surgery, coil embolization was performed. RESULTS: In all patients, complete occlusion of the aneurysms was achieved and all patients had excellent clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Intentional neck-plastic incomplete clipping followed by endovascular coiling may be a useful treatment option for patients with broad-necked distal BA aneurysms.     

Stent-supported coil embolization for carotid artery pseudoaneurysm as a complication of endovascular surgery--case report

A 57-year-old male presented with right amaurosis fugax and left transient ischemic attack caused by stenosis of the intracranial segment of the right internal carotid artery (ICA). Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting was successfully performed to dilate the stenosis. However, serial angiography revealed the development of a large pseudoaneurysm in the cervical ICA, probably as a result of carotid wall injury caused by the guiding catheter during the procedures. The patient underwent a second endovascular angioplasty. A Palmaz stent was placed across the aneurysm neck to stabilize the carotid wall. Guglielmi detachable coils were then inserted into the aneurysm cavity through the stent struts to successfully obliterate the aneurysm. Both the angiographical results and the patient's outcome were favorable. Stent-supported coil embolization is an effective and safe technique for medically refractory pseudoaneurysms, and may be a useful alternative to direct surgery.     

Combined endovascular stent implantation and coil embolization for the treatment of a vertebro-basilar fusiform aneurysm: technical case report

We describe a case of the combined application of endovascular stent implantation and Guglielmi detachable coil packing for the treatment of a vertebro-basilar fusiform aneurysm and review the literature on stent placement to treat cerebral aneurysms. A 70-year-old female presented with an acute headache from subarachnoid hemorrhage. A fusiform aneurysm with a broad-based neck and dome, measuring 15 mm, involving the union of the vertebral arteries and the proximal basilar artery was demonstrated on cerebral angiography. The aneurysm was judged to be inoperable and treated conservatively. Twelve days later the patient was transferred to our hospital for endovascular therapy. An intravascular stent (MultiLink) was placed across the base of the aneurysm through the right vertebral artery. After this, coil placement in the aneurysm around the stent was performed via a microcatheter guided from the left vertebral artery. After that a microcatheter was guided from the right vertebral artery through the interstices of the stent into the aneurysm, and additional coils were placed. Final angiography showed subtotal occlusion of the aneurysm and excellent blood flow of the parent artery through the stent. There were no new neurological deficits. Neither rerupture nor ischemic event has occurred. The use of stents provides another treatment for managing the difficult entity of intracranial aneurysms.     

Immediate and midterm follow-up results of using an electrodetachable, fully retrievable SOLO stent system in the endovascular coil occlusion of wide-necked cerebral aneurysms

OBJECT: Stent-assisted embolization is an alternative endovascular treatment method for wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. Currently available stents have the limitations of poor radial force, difficult delivery systems, and lack of full retrievability. The authors report on their preliminary experience with the use of a new, fully retrievable, self-expanding neurovascular stent, which has a high radial force and easy delivery system, combined with coil or Onyx embolization for the treatment of wide-necked aneurysms, including 6-month follow-up data. METHODS: Fifteen patients with 18 wide-necked intracranial aneurysms were treated using the SOLO stent system and detachable platinum coils. Aneurysms were located at the posterior communicating artery (seven lesions), midbasilar artery (one lesion), internal carotid artery (ICA) bifurcation (one lesion), ICA-ophthalmic artery segment (eight lesions), and posterior cerebral artery (one lesion). Eleven aneurysms were small, six were large, and one was giant. Only one of these aneurysms was in the acute stage of subarachnoid hemorrhage; balloon remodeling alone failed to keep the coils in the aneurysm sac. RESULTS: Only one stent required retrieving and repositioning after it had been fully deployed, and retrieval was easy and successful. No thromboembolic complication, dissection/rupture, or vasospasm occured during stent placement. Follow-up angiograms obtained at 6 months posttreatment in the 18 aneurysms demonstrated that all stents were patent with no evidence of intimal hyperplasia or stenosis. In all cases but one, 100% lesion occlusion was observed at the 6-month control angiography examination. Only one aneurysm had recanalized. CONCLUSIONS: The fully retrievable self-expandible SOLO stent is a feasible, secure, and effective system with a high radial force and ease of delivery in treating wide-necked intracranial aneurysms in combination with coil embolization.     

Histological findings in coil-packed experimental aneurysms 3 months after embolization

OBJECTIVE: Knowledge regarding tissue reactions within coil-packed aneurysms is poor. The purpose of this study was to analyze histological changes in a chronic experimental bifurcation aneurysm model that might explain the protective effect of Guglielmi detachable coils. METHODS: The aneurysms were produced by means of a venous graft pouch at a surgically created bifurcation of the carotid artery in the neck of rabbits. After 3 weeks, embolization with Guglielmi detachable coils was performed in the treatment group but not in the control group (seven rabbits each). At the time of embolization, six of seven treated aneurysms were completely occluded according to radiological criteria. Twelve weeks later, all aneurysms were explanted after final angiography. Histological examinations were performed with coils in situ. RESULTS: Six of seven embolized aneurysms demonstrated complete occlusion in final angiography. But gross pathology revealed that all specimens had differently sized open cavities between the coils. In only two cases, these spaces were very small and the aneurysmal sacs were filled with coils and tissue by more than 90%. Light microscopy demonstrated intraluminal granulation tissue and strong chronic inflammatory wall thickening with numerous foreign body cells at the interface between coils and tissue. Coils were partially incorporated into the aneurysmal wall, sometimes close to the surface and occasionally even outside the wall within the surrounding tissue. CONCLUSION: The protective effect of Guglielmi detachable coil treatment in our chronic experimental bifurcation aneurysms results from formation of intraluminal granulation tissue and wall thickening attributable to chronic inflammation.     

Endovascular treatment of unusual multiple aneurysms of the internal carotid artery-posterior communicating artery complex--case report

A 79-year-old female presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage due to rupture of a rare true posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysm and with poor general condition. Endovascular therapy was performed in the chronic stage. Right carotid angiography just before embolization demonstrated unusual multiple aneurysms of the internal carotid artery (ICA)-PCoA complex. Superselective angiography and aneurysmography using microcatheter revealed two separate aneurysms arising from the PCoA and the ICA-PCoA junction. Endovacular embolization using Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs) was successfully performed for both aneurysms and complete occlusions were achieved with the PCoA fully patent. Embolization with GDCs is a good alternative to surgical clipping for PCoA aneurysm after careful evaluation of superselective angiography.     

Transvascular coil hooking procedure to retrieve an unraveled Guglielmi detachable coil: technical note

OBJECTIVE: A patient with an anterior communicating artery aneurysm was treated by use of endovascular coiling, and a Guglielmi detachable coil (Boston Scientific/Target, Fremont, CA) fractured distal to its connection to the delivering catheter. The unraveled coil floated out from the aneurysm to extend into the bifurcation of the left middle cerebral artery. We describe the microsurgical procedure used to retrieve the coil after an endovascular approach failed. METHODS: The left anterior cerebral artery was punctured just below the aneurysm neck, and a titanium microhook was introduced to anchor the coil and pull it out. Slight traction was exerted before sectioning the coil to avoid protrusion of the stump into the parent vessel. RESULTS: The unraveled coil was removed in totality without permanent morbidity. CONCLUSION: This report describes the case of a rare complication of coil embolization treated with a minimal transarterial coil hooking procedure.     

Management of intraprocedural arterial thrombus in cerebral aneurysm embolization with abciximab: technical case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Thromboembolic complications after cerebral aneurysm treatment with Guglielmi detachable coils (Boston Scientific/Target, Fremont, CA) are not infrequent; in a University of California, Los Angeles institutional review of 720 treated aneurysms, thromboembolic complications occurred in 2.5% of cases. The development of intraluminal thrombus during the embolization procedure, however, may be diagnosed promptly and treated effectively with appropriate therapy. This report describes the use of intravenously administered abciximab for the treatment of intraprocedural arterial thrombus encountered during the coil embolization of a recently ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 45-year-old man presented with severe headache 12 days before transfer to our institution. He had no neurological deficits at admission. Previous computed tomography of the brain demonstrated subarachnoid hemorrhage, and magnetic resonance angiography from the other institution demonstrated a 4-mm anterior communicating artery aneurysm. INTERVENTION: The patient underwent Guglielmi detachable coil embolization of the aneurysm under systemic heparinization. During the embolization, however, a thrombus developed in the proximal left A2 segment. The patient was given an intravenous infusion (20 mg) of abciximab for 10 minutes, and within 15 minutes dissolution of the thrombus was observed with no angiographic evidence of distal emboli. After reversal of general anesthesia, the patient exhibited minimal right leg weakness, which resolved within 1 hour. CONCLUSION: Abciximab may be a useful adjunct for endovascular treatment of patients with cerebral aneurysms in whom intraprocedural arterial thrombus is encountered.