Transradial approach to coil embolization of an intracranial aneurysm.
OBJECTIVE
To report the use of a transradial approach to coil embolization of an intracranial aneurysm in a morbidly obese patient.


METHODS
When the transfemoral approach was inaccessible in a morbidly obese patient with a ruptured intracranial aneurysm, coil embolization was performed via a 6-F sheath placed in the radial artery. Multiple platinum coils were delivered to exclude the 14-mm basilar tip aneurysm. Because heparin was not reversed, the sheath was left in the artery for 24 hours then removed. The radial artery was pulsatile, and blood supply to the hand was good.


CONCLUSIONS
The radial artery appears to be a suitable route for access to the intracranial vessels when the femoral artery is not available.
Schönholz
Claudio
C
Department of Radiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA. schonhol@musc.edu
Nanda
Anil
A
Rodríguez
Juan
J
Shaya
Mark
M
D'Agostino
Horacio
H
D000328:Adult; D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications*; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000601:surgery*