What is endovascular coiling procedure?

What is endovascular coiling procedure?

Endovascular coiling is a minimally invasive technique, which means an incision in the skull is not required to treat the brain aneurysm. Rather, a catheter is used to reach the aneurysm in the brain. During endovascular coiling, a catheter is passed through the groin up into the artery containing the aneurysm.

What is an embolization coil?

Coil Embolization Coiling involves insertion of a catheter into the femoral artery in the patient’s leg and navigating the catheter through the vascular system into the patient’s head and to the aneurysm. The entire process is done using continual X-ray visualization and high-speed radiographic filming techniques.

What is cerebral aneurysm coiling?

Coiling involves approaching the aneurysm from inside the blood vessel, so that there is no need to open the skull. Small metal coils are inserted into the aneurysm through the arteries that run from the groin to the brain. The coils remain in the aneurysm; they are not removed.

Is endovascular coiling safe?

There are some possible risks associated with endovascular coiling. These can include injury or damage to the artery or aneurysm being treated; in rare cases, the aneurysm can rupture. Vasospasm, or a sudden narrowing of the artery, can occur and lead to decreased blood flow to the brain which is fed by that artery.

Can a coiled aneurysm rupture?

The risk of rupture from a coiled aneurysm during the late (≥ 1 year) follow-up period was small (annual rate 0.09%). The rate of requiring retreatment of a coiled aneurysm was relatively low (4.8%). However, more than half of the retreatments were performed more than 5 years after the initial treatment.

How is coiling used to treat an aneurysm?

Aneurysm coiling is a procedure that prevents aneurysms from leaking or rupturing. It is considered less invasive surgery in which a small incision is made in the groin so doctors can access the femoral artery. A catheter is then inserted into the artery and guided through the body’s circulatory system to the aneurysm.

How big are endovascular coils for brain aneurysms?

These coils are very small and thin, ranging in size from about twice the width of a human hair (largest) to less than one hair’s width (smallest). Fluoroscopy (a special type of x-ray, similar to an x-ray “movie”) aids in this procedure.

What happens to the coil after an endovascular coiling?

The coil is left in place permanently in the aneurysm. Once the aneurysm has been sealed off, the catheter will be removed. After the insertion site stops bleeding, a dressing will be applied. What happens after an endovascular coiling?

What’s the difference between small and large aneurysms?

The infection weakens the artery wall, causing a bulging aneurysm to form. Aneurysms are also classified by size: small, large, and giant. Small aneurysms are less than 11 millimeters in diameter (about the size of a large pencil eraser). Large aneurysms are 11 to 25 millimeters (about the width of a dime).