INITIAL EXPERIENCE WITH COLLAGEN-FILLED GUGLIELMI DETACHABLE COILS FOR ENDOVASCULAR TREATMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL ANEURYSMS

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of Guglielmi detachable coils ( GDCs) filled with collagen threads in the permanent treatment of exper imental aneurysms. METHODS: Seventeen side-wall aneurysms were surgica lly constructed in the canine common carotid artery; six were treated with conventional GDCs and 11 with collagen-filled GDCs. One aneurysm was removed at 1 week, the others were studied by digital subtraction angiography for a period of 8 to 12 weeks. Longitudinal sections of al l aneurysms were examined by light microscopy. RESULTS: Angiograms obt ained throughout the follow-up period showed no significant difference between aneurysms treated with conventional GDCs and those treated wi th collagen-filled GDCs. Light microscopy revealed a dense meshwork of newly formed collagen and fibroblasts near the collagen-filled GDCs, whereas a loose cellular meshwork surrounded the conventional GDCs at 8 and 12 weeks after treatment. CONCLUSION: Collagen threads within GD Cs do not noticeably improve angiographic treatment of experimental an eurysms; however, these threads did induce local proliferation of fibr oblasts and production of collagen within the aneurysmal cavities.