[Microcatheter in neuroradiology]

The application of neuroradiologic microcatheters may be beneficial for the patient as well as preoperative intervention or as sole therapeutical procedure. However, it is associated with a relatively high procedural risk, which is also supported by critical dimensions of the microcatheter. It is regrettable, that to some extent, the performance of manufacturers of microcatheters stay below today's technical possibilities. Conducted investigations of ruptured catheters could not prove, that ruptures could have been avoided by using better manufacturing techniques, however, it should be expected, that manufacturers ensure the highest possible technical performance. Attempts to re-process those products, because of their high price show, that not all technical problems and resulting risks are well understood by all parties concerned. The demand for re-processing is not congruous with current medical responsibility.