EXTRACRANIAL ANEURYSM AND ARTERIOVENOUS-FISTULA - EMBOLIZATION WITH THE GUGLIELMI DETACHABLE COIL

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of Guglielmi detachabl e coils for endovascular treatment of extracranial aneurysm and arteri ovenous fistula.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Embolization with Guglielmi det achable coils delivered through Tracker-18 microcatheters was performe d in 16 patients. This patient group had eight renal artery aneurysms and 11 arteriovenous fistulas (three cases of patent ductus arteriosus , one associated with aneurysm; one fistula between the maxillary arte ry and jugular vein; two fistulas between the subclavian and pulmonary arteries; four fistulas between the pulmonary artery and vein; and on e fistula between the anterior tibial artery and vein). Efficacy of th e procedure was assessed by means of short-term follow-up (clinical ex amination, angiography, and/or Doppler sonography)3 and 6 months later . RESULTS: No complications were encountered. Embolization was technic ally and clinically successful in all eight aneurysms (100%) and in ni ne arteriovenous fistulas (82%). In two cases (fistula between the sub clavian and pulmonary arteries and fistula between the anterior tibial artery and vein) endovascular placement of Guglielmi detachable coils failed to occlude the vessel. Results of shortterm follow-up examinat ions confirmed the initial results in all cases. CONCLUSION: Guglielmi detachable coils are feasible, safe, and effective for endovascular t reatment of extracranial aneurysm and arteriovenous fistula.