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

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.