Experience with endovascular occlusion of cerebrovascular aneurysms by means of microspirals

: The paper summarizes the outcomes of endovascular treatment of 42 patients (19 males and 23 females) aged 24 to 68 years who had cerebrovascular aneurysms, 7 of them were operated on in the acute phase of subarachnoidal hemorrhage. There were small [n = 27 (61.4%)], large [n = 14 (31.8%)], and giant [n = 3 (6.8%)] aneurysms. According to their site, aneurysms were found in the internal carotid [n = 22 (50%)], the middle cerebral artery [n = 2 (4.5%)], the anterior cerebral artery-anterior communicating artery [n = 10 (22.7%)], the basilar artery [n = 9 (20.5%)], and the vertebral artery [n = 1 (2.3%)]. MDS tungsten and platinum miscospirals (Balt, France) were employed for aneurysmal occlusion. Twenty seven (61.4%) aneurysms were totally and subtotally closed by means of microspirals. Partial occlusion of the aneurysmal cavity was achieved in 12 (27.2%) cases. There were poor results associated with spiral migration into the carrying vessel in 5 patients: an increase in aneurysmal volumes occurred in 3 patients and in 2 patients with partially occluded giant aneurysms within up to a year. Three patients died. Angiographical control was exercised in 12 patients at months 6 to 18. The analysis of long-term results indicated that the aneurysms initially totally closed failed to be recanalized later on (8 patients). With subtotal or partial occlusion, there was a change in the position of spiral coils in the aneurysmal cavity, namely, their displacement to the bottom and an increase in the dimension of a functioning aneurysmal part (2 patients). The use of microspirals for occlusion of cerebrovascular aneurysms is a low-traumatic and effective treatment. The best results were obtained with the occlusion of small and large aneurysms with their well-defined neck.