These results are within the range of published data for coil treatment of BA tip aneurysms and confirm both the safety and efficacy of this endovascular treatment method.

Between 1992 and 2003, a total of 2029 aneurysms in 1748 patients were treated by endovascular occlusion with electrolytically detachable coils. In this series, electrolytically detachable platinum coils with Nylon fibers (Sapphire Detachable Coil System, MTI, Irvine, CA, USA) were used in 474 aneurysms solely or in combination with bare coils from various manufacturers. To determine the safety and clinical efficacy of Nylon fibered coils for the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms in comparison to bare platinum coils a thorough retrospective statistical analysis by means of logistic regression and matched pairs analysis was performed. Only treatments with data for all matching variables were used, resulting in 421 matched pairs. The analysis was performed with respect to clinical status and numerous parameters concerning individual aneurysm characteristics (e.g., location, neck width, fundus diameter). Treatment-related parameters included the use and percentage of fibered coils, occlusion rate, procedural complications, early clinical outcome and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores. Finally, long-term follow-up results (particularly recurrence, cause of recurrence and post treatment haemorrhage) were evaluated. Both logistic regression and matched pairs analysis sho wed a statistically improved occlusion rate if fibered coils had been used (96% largely occluded with the use of fibered coils vs. 84–85% with the exclusive use of bare coils). However, the amount of fibered coils calculated as percentage of coil length did not seem to have significant impact. Procedures with fibered coils did not lead to a higher rate of thromboembolic events (8.0% for fibered vs. 10.5% for bare coils). The apparently better clinical outcome in the group treated with fibered coils determined by both postprocedural outcome and GOS, did not reach statistical significance. Analysis of the anatomical properties showed no differences between the groups treated with bare and fibered coils in terms of neck width, fundus diameter, and anatomic location. As expected, a higher occlusion rate was achieved in aneurysms with smaller neck and fundus independent from the type of coil used. On follow up angiography, there was an apparently lower rate of recurrence secondary to coil compaction in the group treated with fibered coils, but these data were compromised by the fact that up to date only about one third of 474 aneurysms treated with fibered coils had undergone angiographic follow-up and this did not reach statistical significance. From our experiences, we conclude that the use of fibered electrolytically detachable platinum coils in aneurysm treatment leads to significantly improved occlusion rates compared to the sole use of bare platinum coils. We hope that with increasing follow-up data we will be able to confirm that the apparently reduced recurrence rates for aneurysms treated with fibered coils can be proven with statistical significance.

Endovascular coil occlusion of fusiform intracranial aneurysms without sacrifice of the parent artery can be technically challenging. Bridging of wide aneurysm necks with stents is common practice for side-wall aneurysms but is less frequently used for bifurcation aneurysms. We describe the technical aspects of the successful coil occlusion of a fusiform aneurysm of the upper basilar trunk, with preservation of the parent vessel. The procedure comprised the following steps: (a) stenting of the left V1- and proximal V2 segments; (b) simultaneous deployment of two Neuroform stents from both P1 segments down to the basilar artery ("kissing" stents) (c) using a TriSpan device to hold (d) three-dimensional electrolytically detachable coils in place and (e) filling the aneurysmal lumen mainly with fibered electrolytically detachable coils; and finally (f) cutting the extracorporeal part of both microguidewires below the skin level in both groins, leaving the microguidewires as they were used for the deployment of the stents in place, thus reaching from both P2 segments down to the basilar artery and further proximally.

Resumo Objetivo: Demonstrar os resultados do Serviço comparando embolização e clipagem no tratamento dos aneurismas intracranianos durante o período de 1/9/2007 a 1/12/2008, quando a técnica de embolização foi implantada no Serviço. Pacientes e métodos: Foi realizado estudo retrospectivo no banco de dados do hospital com programa estatístico (Epi Info 2000®) e colhidas informações mediante análise do registro cirúrgico no Serviço naquele período. Os dados foram cruzados pelos dois métodos para cálculo de parâmetros estatísticos. Resultados: No período, foram tratados 61 pacientes: 43 mulheres e 18 homens; em 40 o tratamento foi a embolização e em 21, a clipagem. O tempo médio de permanência dos pacientes submetidos à clipagem foi de 37 dias e o dos submetidos à embolização, de 18,5 dias. Dos 21 pacientes do primeiro grupo, 47% apresentavam idade entre 51 e 60 anos e dos 40 do grupo da embolização, 55% tinham idade entre 41 e 60 anos. A mortalidade global foi de 11,47%; 9,5% nos casos de clipagem e 12,5% no grupo da embolização. Conclusão: Observou-se que a embolização reduziu o tempo médio de permanência e, indiretamente, custos hospitalares, não alterando a taxa de mortalidade. A maioria dos aneurismas diagnosticados era roto, justificando o grande período de internação e a taxa de óbitos. O emprego da embolização foi uma conquista importante do Serviço para a rede municipal do Rio de Janeiro na terapêutica dos aneurismas.