Balloon-assisted coil embolization of wide-necked aneurysms of the internal carotid artery: medium-term angiographic and clinical follow-up in 22 patients.
OBJECTIVE
The management of broad-necked cerebral aneurysms by Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs) is technically challenging owing to a variety of factors, including difficulty in defining the aneurysm/parent vessel interface angiographically and problems in achieving complete occlusion, later predisposing the aneurysm to regrowth/recanalization. We sought to determine whether the use of intraluminal balloons to remodel the parent vessel/aneurysm interface during GDC embolization would provide a safe means of improving the efficacy of endovascular treatment of broad-necked aneurysms.


METHODS
Twenty-two saccular aneurysms of the internal carotid artery were treated with GDCs by using balloon remodeling techniques. All aneurysms were characterized by wide necks or were small with unfavorable neck/fundus ratios and required balloon assistance for coil embolization. Patients were followed up both clinically and angiographically.


RESULTS
By using a microcatheter-mounted nondetachable balloon to provide a temporary barrier across the aneurysmal neck, we were able to deploy GDCs safely within a variety of aneurysms. Among the 22 patients treated, aneurysmal occlusion on follow-up angiography (mean, 19 months) was found in 17 of 20 patients (two patients died and no follow-up studies were available). Observed or suspected thromboembolic events occurred in four of 22 patients, resulting in one permanent deficit. Twenty of the 22 patients had good to excellent clinical outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Although balloon-assisted coiling of cerebral aneurysms requires manipulation of a second microcatheter and an inflatable balloon, increasing its technical complexity, we believe that this method has utility in treating broad-necked aneurysms and small aneurysms that are otherwise suboptimally managed by conventional GDC deployment.
Nelson
P K
PK
Department of Radiology, New York University Medical Center, New York 10016, USA.
Levy
D I
DI
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002404:Catheterization; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies