Aneurysm Coiling

The interventional neuroradiologists at the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center can now often close a brain aneurysm (ruptured or unruptured) minimally invasively by using platinum coils to block or embolize the aneurysm. While the patient is under general anesthetic, a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) is guided from the groin to the neck within the carotid or vertebral artery. A microcatheter is advanced within the main catheter until the tip lies within the aneurysm. Platinum coils - finer than a human hair - are then moved into the aneurysm until the aneurysm is completely filled. This technology is now in worldwide use and compared to traditional surgery to treat an aneurysm, coiling usually allows patients to recover faster with less pain.

For more information or to make an appointment with one of our board-certified, subspecialized interventional neuroradiologists, please call (310) 423-8000 and select option 5.

CT shows a large frontal parenchymal hemorrhage.

MR shows the aneurysm in the midst of large hemorrhage and edema.

AP and lateral angiograms show an aneurysm in the ophthalmic segment
of the internal carotid artery adjacent to the anterior clinoid process.
Intraprocedural roadmap angiogram shows a coil being placed into the
aneurysm through a microcatheter.

Final skull x-ray shows the coil pack configuration.

Final angiograms show the aneurysm completely occluded by platinum coils.