Preliminary results of embolisation of nonsurgical intracranial aneurysms with GD coils: the 1st year of their use.

We report 28 patients with nonsurgical intracranial aneurysms referred by neurosurgeons for endovascular treatment using platinum detachable coils (GDC, Target Therapeutics, Fremont, Calif., USA). Because of unfavourable anatomical features or failed hyperselective catheterisation, 4 patients were not treated. In the other 24 patients (26 aneurysms) embolisation was successful. No manufacturing defect was detected in the coils used. Complete occlusion of the sac was obtained in 22 of the 26 aneurysms (85%) regardless of their size. The glasgow outcome score was good on discharge in 20 of the 24 patients (83%). The Karnovski score at 3 months after embolisation revealed that 20 patients (83%) lead a normal life, with minor neurological signs. Morbidity related directly to treatment occurred in 2 cases (8%): a superior hemianopia due to mass effect on the optic nerve from a carotid-ophthalmic aneurysm, and hemiparesis due to an embolus. Five transient deficits lasting hours to a few days were related to proven or suspected emboli. No death occurred. Anatomical, technical and clinical data are reported; the mean cost of materials (catheters and coils) per patient and aneurysm was FF 13,500. The mean hospitalisation time was 6.5 days in the neurosurgical department with 2.8 days of intensive care.