Clinical and angiographic outcome after Guglielmi detachable coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms.
BACKGROUND
Between July 1997 and April 2001, forty patients underwent Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) embolization of intracranial aneurysms at Wellington Hospital.


METHODS
The clinical notes and imaging were reviewed retrospectively.


RESULTS
Complete initial occlusion was achieved in 28 patients (70%). Eleven patients (27.5%) had small residual neck (>90% occlusion) and one patient (2.5%) had substantial filling of the aneurysm. Follow up angiographic assessment was obtained in 28 patients (70%) of whom 24 patients (85.7%) had no recurrence or stable residual neck and four patients (14.3%) had recurrence or enlargement of the residual neck. Stable occlusion was achieved in 100% of small and medium sized aneurysms and 50% of large and giant aneurysms. Technical complications occurred in 10% including aneurysms perforated in two patients (5%) and presumed parent artery occlusion in another two (5%).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of the present study demonstrate the safety of GDC embolization. The initial clinical grade at presentation strongly predicted the clinical outcome. Although the number of patients in this study is small, there is evidence that the angiographic outcome is better for small and medium sized aneurysms. Our results are comparable to other published series.
Darwish
Balsam
B
Neurosurgical Units, Wellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand.
Rajak
Saul
S
Wickremesekera
Agadha
A
Hunn
Martin
M
Balakrishnan
Venkatraman
V
Braithwaite
Douglas
D
FitzJohn
Trevor
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D023261:Glasgow Outcome Scale; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome