A case of GDC(guglielmi detachable coil) embolization in an unruptured intracranial aneurysm

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 15(4); 1997 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1997;15(4): 867-873.

비파열 두개내 동맥류에 시행한 Guglielmi 유리성 coil 색전술 1예

이향운, 노숙영, 김용재, 박기덕, 최경규, 정은철

이화여자대학교 의대 신경과. 방사선과

A case of GDC(guglielmi detachable coil) embolization in an unruptured intracranial aneurysm

Hyang-Woon Lee, M.D., Sook-Young Roh, M.D., Yong-Jae Kim, M.D., Kee-Duk Park, M.D., Kyung-Gyu Choi, M.D., Eun-Chul Chung, M.D.

Department of Neurology and radiology, Ewha Womens University Hospital, College of Medicine

Abstract

The Guglielmi Detachable Coil(GDC), a soft platinum alloy micro-coil, has been used to treat certain intracranial aneurysms for recent several years. This detachable platinum coil was soldered to a stainless steel delivery guidewire. Intra-aneurysmal thrombosis was then initiated by applying a low positive direct electric current to the guidewire. Thrombosis occurred because of the attraction of negatively charged platinum coil positioned within the aneurysm. The passage of electric current detached the platinum coil tithin the clotted aneurysm from the stainless steel guide wire by electrolysis in 4 to 12 minutes. A 24-year-old unmarried woman visited our hospital complaining of severe headache on the right occipital area. The MRI and angiography demonstrated an unruptured right posterior communicationg artery aneurysm, emasured 10 x 15 mm in diameter with a medium sized neck. We tried GDC therapy for the aneurysm not to subject the patient to craniectomy, and the angiograhy after two times of GDC trials revealed a successful occlusion of the aneurysm . Adicussion about the problems during and after the procedure was presented, along with a brief review of the literature including the theoretical basis, clinical results and comparison with surgical treatment.