Coil embolisation of ruptured intracranial aneurysms
Summary
The Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee (IPAC) originally considered this procedure as one procedure, entitled coil embolisation for intracranial aneurysms. However, as a result of comments received during the initial consultation in June 2003, IPAC decided to consider the procedure separately for ruptured intracranial aneurysms and for unruptured intracranial aneurysms.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on coil embolisation of ruptured intracranial aneurysms.
As part of the NICE's work programme, the current guidance was considered for review but did not meet the review criteria as set out in the IP process guide. The guidance below therefore remains current.
To be alerted to developments regarding the use of the procedure to treat unruptured intracranial aneurysms please refer to www.nice.org.uk/ip_274.
Description
This procedure is used to treat intracranial aneurysms. Rupture of intracranial aneurysms has a poor prognosis and can be fatal.
Standard treatment for ruptured intracranial aneurysm involves open surgery to clip the aneurysms inside the skull. Endovascular techniques techniques involve approaching the aneurysm from inside the diseased blood vessel, avoiding the need for open surgery.
A thin tube, containing the coil device on a guidewire, is inserted into a large artery, usually in the groin, and passed up into the skull under X-ray control. The coil is placed inside the aneurysm and detached from the guidewire. Multiple coils can be placed the aneurysm through the same tube until the aneurysm is densely packed.
The technique is mainly carried out on ruptured aneurysms but may also be used to treat unruptured aneurysms.
OPCS code:
Details
Surgical procedures
Society of British Neurological Surgeons
British Society of Interventional Radiology
British Society of Neuroradiologists
Contact details:
(for general enquiries or comments)
Interventional Procedures Programme
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
MidCity Place
71 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6NA
