Small Intracranial Aneurysm Treatment Using Target ® Ultrasoft ™ Coils

Abstract

Purpose—The introduction of small, soft, complex-shaped microcoils has helped facilitate the endovascular treatment of small intracranial aneurysms (IAs) over the last several years. Here, we evaluate the initial safety and efficacy of treating small IAs using only Target® Ultrasoft™ coils.
Materials and methods—A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained clinical database at a
single, high volume, teaching hospital was performed from September 2011 to May 2015. IAs smaller than
or equal to 5.0 mm in maximal dimension treated with only Target® Ultrasoft™ coils were included.
Results—A total of 50 patients with 50 intracranial aneurysms were included. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
from index aneurysm rupture was the indication for treatment in 23 of 50 (46%) cases, and prior subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from another aneurysm was the indication for treatment in eight of 50 (16%)
cases. The complete aneurysm occlusion rate was 70% (35/50), the minimal residual aneurysm rate was
14% (7/50), and residual aneurysm rate was 16% (8/50). One intraoperative aneurysm rupture occurred.
Three patients died during hospitalization from clinical sequelae of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Follow-up at
a mean of 13.6 months demonstrated complete aneurysm occlusion in 75% (30/40) of cases, near complete
occlusion in 15% (6/40) of cases, and residual aneurysm in 10% (4/40) of cases, all four of which were
retreated.
Conclusion—Our initial results using only Target® Ultrasoft™ coils for the endovascular treatment of
small intracranial aneurysms demonstrate initial excellent safety and efficacy profiles.