title: Endovascular embolization of very small cerebral aneurysms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Very small cerebral aneurysms are considered to be one of the challenges for endovascular treatment, with difficulty for catheterization and high risk for intraoperative rupture. We report the treatment of very small (< 3-mm) cerebral aneurysms by coil embolization.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective analysis of 11 consecutive patients with very small aneurysms treated by coil embolization in our institute between February 2007 and February 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA) was most accurate in the detection of these aneurysms; 3DRA revealed the aneurysms in two patients in whom conventional angiography failed to demonstrate the aneurysms. The Hunt-Hess (HH) grade was grade 0 (unruptured aneurysm) in one patient and grade I in ten patients. Coil embolization was successfully performed in 11 patients. Complete (n = 8) or near complete (n = 3) immediate occlusion was obtained. One or three soft coils were used in all the patients with the shortest available length. Balloon assistance was used in one patient and stent assistance was used in seven patients. Although coil migration into the MCA was seen in one patient and intraoperative aneurismal rupture occurred in one patient, no untoward clinical complication was seen. Follow-up DSA in 11 patients demonstrated persistent occlusion (n = 9) or progressive thrombosis (n = 2) of the aneurysms. All the patients with available follow-up had a modified Rankin Score (mRS) of 0.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HH grade 0 and I very small cerebral aneurysms can be treated by endovascular coil embolization. Use of short, soft coils and balloon/stent assistance is useful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China. pzzang@mail.cmu.edu.cn
authors.forename: Peizhuo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zang
authors.forename: Chuansheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Shi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction / Q000379:methods; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome