Objectives: To demonstrate the technical feasibility, safety and results of intracranial aneurysm treatment by coils of 0.018-inch diameter wire (GDC 18) for ruptured and non-ruptured intracranial aneurysms.
Materials and methods: From a commune database from five neuroradiological centers, we analysed endovascular technique with Gugliemi Detachable Coils (GDC) 18, complications of technique, acute angiographic occlusion results and long-term angiographic follow-up. Sixty-six percent of aneurysms were ruptured. The mean size of treated aneurysms was 13.7 mm.
Results: Overall feasibility of coil 18 treatments was 95%. Acute angiographic results in 110 aneurysms demonstrated total occlusion in 63 aneurysms (57.2%), subtotal occlusion in 37 cases (33.6%), and incomplete occlusion in 10 cases (9%). A second treatment was performed in 15 cases; follow-up demonstrated 60 (61%) total occlusions, 32 (33%) subtotal occlusion and 5 (5%) incomplete. Five patients were lost to follow-up, and 8 patients had died. Stability of occlusion with these coils was 61%.
Conclusion: Coiling of intracranial aneurysms, ruptured or non-ruptured, using coils with a wire diameter of 0.018-inch is safe, with no more complications than standard coils. Remodelling technique is possible. This type of coils must be considered for treatment of large aneurysms.