Over the past 3.5 years 220 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were treated in the Department of Neurosurgery University of Vienna Medical School using either endovascular techniques (Guglielmi Detachable Coils) or open craniotomy with aneurysm clipping. A retrospective analysis was undertaken to assess whether any difference in outcome could be correlated with the treatment choice. The patients were stratified as to 1) Hunt and Hess grade at time of treatment, 2) method of treatment, and 3) clinical outcome at 2-4 weeks following treatment. The outcomes in this population of patients were consistent with recent published series regardless of whether the aneurysms were treated with microvascular surgery or endovascular surgery. There was a trend toward better outcome in a relatively small sub-group of patients presenting as Hunt and Hess grade III who were treated by the endovascular method. Guglielmi detachable coils have been available for a relatively short time, and although early results are promising, the ultimate long-term efficacy of the coils will have to be assessed.