Clinical presentation and outcomes of coil embolization of remnant or recurred intracranial aneurysm after clipping

Objective: To evaluate clinical presentation, safety, techniques, clinical and angiographic outcomes, and prognostic factors of coiling for remnant/recurred aneurysm after clipping. Methods: Twenty-four consecutive patients (11 men and 13 women; mean age, 52 years) with 24 recurred/remnant aneurysms after clipping underwent coil embolization between September 2000 and December 2008. Clinical presentations of remnant/recurred aneurysms, safety, techniques, clinical and angiographic outcomes, and prognostic factors of coil embolization were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Twenty-two aneurysms initially presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage and the other two, with mass effect. Eight aneurysms presented with rebleeding and 16 aneurysms were found on follow-up CT angiogram (n = 12) or catheter angiogram (n = 4). The interval between clipping and coiling ranged from 8 days to 114 months (mean, 31 months). Twelve were treated by using single-catheter, 6 by stent-assisted, 4 by multicatheter, 1 by both balloon- and catheter-assisted, and 1 by balloon-in-stent technique. Immediate postembolization angiogram revealed complete obliteration (n = 19) or residual neck (n = 5). Procedure-related permanent morbidity and mortality rates were 4.2% (1 of 24) and 0%, respectively. There was no rebleeding during clinical follow-up for 3 to 82 months (mean, 24 months). Presentation with rupture after clipping was the only significant predictor of poor outcome (P < .05). Conclusion: Coiling seems to be a safe and effective retreatment option for remnant/ recurred aneurysm after clipping. Presentation with rupture after clipping is the only predictor of poor outcome. For routine/regular follow-up after clipping, CT angiography may be the imaging modality advisable for detection of remnant/recurred aneurysm.