Silent Thromboembolic Events Associated with the Treatment of Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysms by Use of Guglielmi Detachable Coils: Prospective Study Applying Diffusion-weighted Imaging

Authors:
  • RBRichard J. Bellon
    Richard J. Bellon
  • RJRonald F. Budzik Jr.
    Ronald F. Budzik Jr.
  • JFJeff Farkas
    Jeff Farkas
  • GRGregory F. Reinking
    Gregory F. Reinking
  • RPRichard S. Pergolizzi
    Richard S. Pergolizzi
  • MEMustapha Ezzeddine
    Mustapha Ezzeddine
  • ANAlex M. Norbash
    Alex M. Norbash
  • RGR. Gilberto Gonzalez
    R. Gilberto Gonzalez
  • CPChristopher M. Putman
    Christopher M. Putman
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Aneurysm embolization using Guglielmi detachable coils (GDC) is gaining increasing acceptance as a viable alternative to surgery in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. Although recent reports describe a significant rate of symptomatic thromboembolic complications with GDC use, many of the neurologic deficits are transient. We sought to determine the incidence of silent thromboembolic events with the use of diffusion-weighted imaging and to correlate radiologic findings with the results of neurologic examinations.