title: Modified buddy wire technique for coil embolization of posterior circulation aneurysms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In coil embolization of a posterior circulation aneurysm, tortuosity or a small vessel caliber frequently prevents placement of a guiding catheter in the vertebral artery. Even in such difficult situations, however, coil embolization is the only treatment option when the patient's clinical condition is very poor, or the aneurysm is inaccessible by microsurgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three patients with a posterior circulation aneurysm were treated by coil embolization with the use of a modified buddy wire technique to stabilize a guiding catheter that could not be placed into the vertebral artery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The guiding catheter was stabilized in the subclavian artery and the microcatheter was firmly supported. As a result, coil embolization was performed safely in all patients. There were no procedural complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The modified buddy wire technique could provide patients with a chance to undergo endovascular surgery despite having a tortuous or narrow vertebral artery.
authors.affiliation: The Department of Neurosurgery, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, 1-757 Asahimachi, 951-8585 Niigata, Japan. nishino@beach.ocn.ne.jp
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishino
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.forename: Bunpei
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: Yukihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujii
authors.forename: Ryuichi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017130:Angioplasty / Q000379:methods*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D013348:Subclavian Artery; D014711:Vertebral Artery