Selective endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms using micrus microcoils: preliminary results in a series of 78 patients

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the safety and reliability of a new platinum microcoil (Micrus), in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

Patients and methods: Seventy-eight patients (28 male and 50 female patients; age range, 28-83 years; mean age, 44 years) with 80 intracranial aneurysms were treated in 10 centers in Belgium and France. All aneurysms were smaller than 15 mm. Nine aneurysms (11%) were located in the posterior circulation and 71 (89%) in the anterior. Fifty aneurysms (63%) were ruptured and 30 (37%) unruptured. Micrus microcoil is a new platinum coil. It is electrically detached with a time of detachment close to 5 seconds.

Results: The degree of occlusion of the aneurysm was classified as total in 49 aneurysms (61%), subtotal in 28 cases (35%) and incomplete in 3 cases (4%). Technical complications were encountered in 10 patients (13%) including parent artery occlusion and thromboembolism (4 cases), coil migration (2 cases) and non-detachment of the coil (2 cases). The immediate morbidity rate was 1.3% and mortality rate 1.3%.

Conclusion: Micrus microcoils are effective and safe in the selective treatment of ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Spherical microcoils are helpful to create a good basket in the aneurysmal sac at the beginning of treatment.