Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology

Detachable Coil Embolization

Detachable coil embolization offers a new approach to treating aneurysms and other blood vessel malformations in the brain and other parts of the body. A brain aneurysm, or weakness in the arterial wall, is a serious medical condition. If a brain aneurysm ruptures, internal bleeding may cause a stroke or loss of life. In less severe cases, a bulging aneurysm may compress surrounding nerves and brain tissue resulting in nerve paralysis, headache, neck and upper back pain as well as nausea and vomiting. Cerebral angiography, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can detect brain aneurysms prior to rupturing. *

Interventional Neuroradiologists perform detachable coil embolization to alleviate much of the danger presented by aneurysms. The interventional neuroradiologist inserts a tube, called a catheter, into an artery in the leg. This catheter is then maneuvered through the body to the aneurysm's position. Once in position, the radiologist places one or more small coils through the catheter into the aneurysm. The body responds by forming a blood clot around the coil blocking off the aneurysm. Coil embolization is most frequently used to treat aneurysms and fistulas in the brain where open surgery is risky. The coils prevent rupture and further growth of the aneurysm or fistula by creating a blood clot to close off blood flow to the affected area. *

Coil Embolization Procedure

The procedure may take 30 minutes to four hours depending upon complexity. Local or general anesthesia can be used for this procedure, Your radiologist will help decide which is best for you. Patients undergoing local anesthesia will feel relaxed and sleepy after the intravenous (IV) sedative is started. You may feel slight pressure when the catheter is inserted but no serious discomfort. Patients who receive general anesthesia will have no memory of the procedure. *

The severity of symptoms varies widely between ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. Patients who had a stroke will have a more difficult recovery and only 25 percent may be symptom-free after the procedure. Recovery depends upon the brain damage from the bleeding. Very sick patients with narrowed cerebral arteries following a ruptured aneurysm may benefit from surgical brain manipulation. *

Following endovascular treatment, bed rest will be required. Patients who did not have a ruptured aneurysm prior to treatment may be able to leave the hospital the day after the procedure. Stroke patients should expect a post-procedure recovery in the neurosurgical intensive care unit followed by a seven- to 10-day recovery on the neurosurgery floor, and they may require sedation. *

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