What is endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms?
An aneurysm is a weakness in the wall of a blood vessel which causes the blood vessel to swell. When an aneurysm develops inside the brain, it is called an intracranial aneurysm. Intracranial aneurysms are associated with a high risk of bleeding in and around the brain, which can have catastrophic consequences. Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms is the non-surgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms using microcatheters (small and flexible plastic tubes) and X-ray guidance.
The procedure involves inserting tiny metal spirals (coils) into the blood vessel to act as a physical barrier and encourage blood clotting, preventing bleeding. A metal mesh tube (stent) may be used to keep the coils in place and support the walls of the blood vessel. Sometimes stents are used without coils to change the blood flow and encourage clotting in the aneurysm.