Performance of long J-shaped coils in large and giant intracranial aneurysms: an in vitro study

We evaluated the performance of long straight coils (Detach-18 J-shaped coils) in large and giant in-vitro aneurysms. The coils consisted of a distal semicircular part 7 or 15 mm in diameter and a proximal 70 cm straight part having three types of stiffness: soft, standard, and stiff. We first investigated the ease of passage through a microcatheter in a realistic cerebral vessel model. Second, we made silicone models simulating lateral-type aneurysms of various spherical dome diameters (12, 15, 20 and 30 mm) and neck sizes (3-10 mm; dome-to-neck ratio approximately 3:1) and connected them to a pulsating circulatory pump. We evaluated the anchoring and folding patterns of the coils, stability of the microcatheter and coils in the aneurysm, and smoothness of delivery and retrieval of coils. Third, we compared the conformability of a coil in a large, irregular aneurysm with that of a spiral coil. The long J-shaped coils were easily advanced and retrieved through a microcatheter in a tortuous vessel model. In 12 mm spherical aneurysms, each coil made a complex framework, and knot formation or damage to the coil during withdrawal was often observed. In 15 mm aneurysms, the coils were all easily delivered and retrieved; standard-stiffness coils adapted best to this size. In 20 mm aneurysms, frameworks were less complex but still good with a standard or stiff coil, but those with soft coil were unstable and changed significantly within 3 min of detachment due to gravity and pulsatile flow. In 30 mm aneurysms, soft coils filled only the lower part during introduction, whereas a stiff coil still made a favourable framework. Conformability of a long J-shaped coil was superior to that of a spiral coil in a large, irregular aneurysm. Long J-shaped coils conform well to various configurations of large and giant aneurysms and can shorten procedures since a larger implant volume can be delivered with a single coil. Their principle of action may promote more favourable occlusion of irregular and large aneurysms by improved conformability and stability.