Coiling

• Performed in a neuroendovascular suite by a neuroendovascular radiologist or surgeon.


• Minimally invasive procedure without surgical cutting through to the brain blood vessels.


• A catheter is navigated through a vessel in the groin region and advanced to the anuerysm using using fluoroscopy.


• Platinum coils attached to a delivery wire are deployed through catheter into the aneurysm. The wire is detached and removed, leaving the coil within the aneurysm. A number of coils are needed to occlude the aneurysm.

Clipping

• A craniotomy (surgical drilling and cutting to create a window through the skull) is performed. The brain is retracted to locate the aneurysm.


• A small clip is placed across the neck (or "opening") of the aneurysm to block normal blood flow from entering.


• The clip remains on the artery permanently.

Should an Aneurysm be Clipped or Coiled?

• Studies have shown that patients with ruptured and unruptured aneurysms have better clinical outcomes from coiling rather than clipping. There is less recovery time required and no manipulation of brain tissue.


• Surgical clipping is still used for younger patients with superficial, easy-to-access aneurysms.


• The overall risk rate for both procedures is comparable.


• The advantage of surgical clipping is that it is almost always permanent.


• The disadvantage of coiling is that the coils may compact within the aneurysm and may require retreatments. This is mostly dependent on the size of the aneurysm.