Interlocking detachable coil occlusion in the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms: preliminary results.

PURPOSE To present our preliminary experience with the recently developed interlocking detachable coils in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. METHODS Two aneurysms of the basilar tip, two of the internal carotid artery, and one of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery were treated by an endovascular technique using interlocking detachable coils. Three of the patients had undergone unsuccessful surgical clipping. Three-month and 1-year control angiograms were obtained. RESULTS In all patients but one, who had an aneurysm of the internal carotid artery, the aneurysmal sac was occluded with preservation of the parent artery and did not show recanalization on the follow-up control angiograms. In the other patient who had a wide-necked aneurysm of the internal carotid artery, the sac could not be totally obliterated and showed contrast filling in the neck remnant at 3-month angiography. None of the patients experienced neurologic deficit after treatment. CONCLUSION Because they are soft and retrievable, interlocking detachable coils, with their immediate coil release design, may provide an alternative to surgery in the future treatment of endovascular aneurysms.