Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with radioactive coils: initial clinical experience.
OBJECTIVE
Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms is safe and effective but is associated with angiographic recurrences. Beta radiation prevents recanalization after coil embolization in experimental models. We wanted to assess the feasibility of using radioactive coil embolization to improve long-term results of endovascular treatment.


METHODS
Platinum coils were ion-implanted with 0.13 to 0.26 microCi/cm of 32P. Forty-one patients aged 34 to 84 years with 44 aneurysms with a high propensity for recurrences were included. Radioactive coils were introduced into aneurysms to reach a target volumetric activity of 0.018 microCi/mm3. Nonradioactive coils were also used to ensure the same safety and the same angiographic results as the standard procedure. Angiographic results, procedure-related complications, and neurological events during follow-up were recorded. Angiographic follow-up data are available in 36 lesions 6 months after treatment.


RESULTS
Forty of 44 aneurysms (91%) could be treated with radioactive coils. Target activities could be reached in 88% of lesions that could actually be coiled (35/40). Total activities ranged from 1.72 to 80.9 microCi, for a mean of 20.13+/-20.80 microCi. Procedure-related complications occurred in 7% of patients. Initial angiographic results were satisfactory (complete occlusions or residual necks) in 75% of lesions. Angiographic recurrences occurred in 11 (31%) of patients followed, within the expected range for standard coils. There was no complication from beta radiation during a mean follow-up period of 10 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Radioactive coil embolization is feasible; target volumetric activities can be reached in most aneurysms considered for endovascular treatment.
Raymond
Jean
J
Department of Radiology, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)-Notre Dame Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. dr_jean_raymond@hotmail.com
Roy
Daniel
D
Leblanc
Philippe
P
Roorda
Sjoerd
S
Janicki
Christian
C
Normandeau
Lysanne
L
Morel
François
F
Gevry
Guylaine
G
Bahary
Jean-Paul
JP
Chagnon
Miguel
M
Guilbert
François
F
Weill
Alain
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001610:Beta Particles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020007:Implants, Experimental / Q000009:adverse effects; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010984:Platinum / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes; D010984:Platinum