Angiographic Follow-up of Embolization Using Guglielmi Detachable Coils for Cerebral Aneurysms

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the mid or long-term angiographical stability of Guglielmi Detachable Coils (GDC) after embolization for cerebral aneurysms. Between march 1997 and november 2001, 164 aneurysms, including 116 ruptured and 48 unruptured aneurysms, were treated using GDC at Mito National Hospital. Cerebral angiograms over one month after embolization were obtained in 111 aneurysms, including 71 ruptured and 40 unruptured aneurysms. At the time of initial GDC embolization of the 71 ruptured aneurysms, complete occlusion was achieved in 31 aneurysms, neck remnant in 18 aneurysms, and body filling in 22 aneurysms. Morphological changes were observed in 26 aneurysms (37%) in follow-up. Progressive thrombosis was obtained in 12 out of 71 aneurysms, no changes were shown in 45, and recanalizations occurred in 14. In the initial embolization of the 40 unruptured aneurysms, complete occlusion was achieved in 15 aneurysms, neck remnant in five and body filling in 20 aneurysms respectively. Morphological changes were observed in 12 aneurysms (30%), in which 12 aneurysms showed progressive thrombosis and 28 aneurysms were unchanged. There were significant differences of the long-term angiographical stability between ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. Rigorous follow-up angiography is mandatory when complete aneurysm occlusion is not achieved in ruptured aneurysms.