Long-term follow-up of endovascular coil embolization for cerebral aneurysms using three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography.

Objectives: As endovascular treatment becomes more prevalent, aneurysm recurrence from neck remnants, recanalization, incomplete obliteration and bleeding remain major concerns. In the current analysis, we attempted to identify factors related to disease progression and clinical outcome in patients treated with coil embolization.

Methods: This study included 58 patients who underwent endovascular coil embolization for treatment of intracranial aneurysm. The result of embolization was evaluated with three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF MRA) and classified as a complete occlusion, a residual neck (minor, central and marginal types), a residual dome (central and marginal types). Patients were followed up clinically and radiologically. Statistical analyses were performed to establish factors that influenced the occurrence of adverse events such as recurrence of aneurysm.

Results: Overall, the complete occlusion rate was 18.8%, the occurrence of a residual neck was 67.2%, and the residual dome rate was 14.1%. The mean clinical follow-up was 31.2 months. Recurrences were found in 18 aneurysms, and major recurrences were retreated with coiling or surgery. The post-treatment study revealed that the marginal-type aneurysm filling has a significant impact on outcome. Thus, perianeurysmal edema was correlated with recurrence of the aneurysm.

Conclusions: Three-dimensional TOF MRA was a sensitive tool for visualizing residual filling of embolized aneurysm and is useful for long-term follow-up of patients.