title: Laser-induced thermal occlusion of berry aneurysms: initial experimental results.
abstract: An intravascular laser-catheter technique was used to occlude 12 experimental berry aneurysms, ranging in size from 4 X 3 mm to 8 X 6 mm (length X width), while the patency of adjacent arteries was preserved. A small steel cap on the end of an optical fiber was fluoroscopically positioned within the aneurysm. The cap was rapidly heated by the optical transmission of laser energy. This produced a thermal tissue reaction within the aneurysm, resulting in its occlusion. After treatment, the steel cap was detached atraumatically from the fiber and left as a permanent implant within the occluded aneurysm. This method has an advantage over the use of a bare-ended intravascular optical fiber because the steel cap provides a uniform distribution of thermal energy, thereby reducing the risk of unexpected perforation during treatment. The radiologic and histologic results of using this laser-catheter system were evaluated 1-21 weeks after treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: O'Reilly
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Forrest
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Schoene
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000628:therapy*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D055100:Optical Fibers; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011817:Rabbits