Case Study: Aneurysm Coiling

An aneurysm (ruptured or unruptured) can often be treated by using platinum coils to block or embolize the aneurysm. While the patient is under general anesthetic, a catheter (a very small, flexible tube) is inserted in the groin and threaded up to the neck through the carotid or vertebral artery. A microcatheter is advanced within the main catheter until the tip is in the aneurysm. Platinum coils - finer than a human hair - are then be moved into the aneurysm until the aneurysm is completely filled. Compared to traditional surgical treatment of an aneurysm, which involves putting a clip at the base of the aneurysm to cut off the blood supply, coiling is a minimally invasive approach that has fewer side effects and means patients can usually go home sooner and with less pain. 

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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.