Aneurysms Presenting with Neural Compression : Response to Treatment with Guglielmi Detachable Coils Embolization

뇌동맥류에 의한 신경 압박의 GDC 색전 치료 반응

Objectives : Embolization of intracranial aneurysms by using Guglielmi detachable coils(GDC) is proving to be a safe method of protecting aneurysms from rupture. Occasionally, patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms present with symptoms related to the aneurysm's mass effect on either the brain parenchyma or cranial nerves. In the present study, the authors conducted a retrospective review to evaluate the response to GDC embolization in a series of 6 patients presenting with cranial nerve dysfunction due to mass effect. Patients and Methods : Aneurysms were classified by size, shape, and amount of intraluminal thrombus. Patients were classified by duration of symptoms prior to GDC treatment(range<1 month to>4 years). Clinical assessment was performed within days of the GDC procedure and at later follow-up appointments(range 5-16 months, mean 9 months). Results : In the immediate post-GDC embolization period, one of the five patients had transient worsening of third nerve palsy, which later improved to better than baseline status. Two patients who presented with third nerve deficit from a internal carotid artery-posterior communicating artery junction aneurysm had complete recovery. One patient who presented with hemiparesis and dysarthria from a giant mid-basilar aneurysm showed improvement of these symptoms. One patient who presented with sixth cranial nerve deficit from a cavernous aneurysm showed no change at the 8-months follow-up examination. Conclusion : The endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms by using GDC is suggested as an alternative therapeutic method for improving or alleviating neurological deficits produced by mass effect.