Overview

Endovascular coiling is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat a brain aneurysm by preventing blood from entering the weak, bulging part of a blood vessel. Coiling is performed from within the blood vessels using catheter-based methods, unlike open surgical clipping. A thin, bendable tube is inserted into an artery in the wrist or groin and then guided to the aneurysm using X-ray imaging. Then, small platinum coils are put inside the aneurysm sac to help blood clots form and keep blood from flowing through it. Endovascular coiling is a common treatment for both ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. It is especially helpful for people who may not be able to handle open brain surgery.

Why It’s Done
Endovascular coiling is done to stop an aneurysm from breaking or to stop more bleeding after an aneurysm has already broken. The procedure lowers the risk of a brain haemorrhage that could kill you by filling the aneurysm with coils. It is often suggested based on the aneurysm's size, shape, and location. Coiling is a good option for people who are at a higher risk of surgery or when the aneurysm's shape makes it possible to treat it with less invasive methods.

What to Expect?
Before the procedure, patients get detailed images like CT angiography, MRI, or cerebral angiography to look at the aneurysm's features. To ensure everything is safe, blood tests and medical exams are performed. Most of the time, general anaesthesia is given during the procedure. A catheter is placed into an artery in the wrist or groin and carefully guided through the blood vessels to the brain using real-time imaging. Once inside the aneurysm, small, soft platinum coils are inserted. These coils cause blood clots to form, which stop blood flow to the aneurysm. Stents or balloons are sometimes used to help place coils. After the procedure, the catheter is removed, and pressure is put on the insertion site to stop bleeding. Patients are monitored in a specialized neurological unit or an intensive care unit. Follow-up imaging ensures that the aneurysm has been successfully occluded.

Recovery & Outlook
In most cases, recovery time is shorter than with open surgery. Patients may experience a mild headache or groin pain for a short time. If the aneurysm had broken, how badly the bleeding is will determine how long it takes to heal. When the aneurysm is successfully sealed, the long-term results are usually good. It is important to follow up with imaging regularly because some aneurysms may require closer monitoring or treatment over time.