ENDOVASCULAR TREATMENT OF INTRACRANIAL AN EURYSMS WITH ELECTRICALLY DETACHABLE PLATINUM COILS

In 14 patients (eight men, six women; mean age 58 [31-72] years) with intracranial aneurysm (basilar artery in nine, anterior branches in fi ve) the aneurysm was occluded by electrically detachable platinum coil s, advanced into the aneurysm introduced via a percutaneously introduc ed catheter system, under local anaesthesia and fluoroscopic control. Ten patients had acute subarachnoid haemorrhage (stage II-IV). In two patients several sessions were required before complete occlusion was achieved. In one patient, with a basilar artery aneurysm, the aneurysm al wall was perforated (angiographically demonstrated contrast-medium extravasation), but this remained clinically asymptomatic. There has b een no recurrence or renewed bleeding during a follow-up period of 6-1 2 months. - The method is a highly promising addition to the micro-neu rosurgical treatment of such aneurysms. However, as long-term results are still awaited, indications for using the method should be strict a nd only those patients should be so treated in whom operation would be associated with a high risk or who are inoperable.