Major recanalization occurs more often in young patients after unruptured aneurysm coil embolization

The recanalization rate after coil embolization of unruptured aneurysms was compared between young and old age groups.

From May 2003 to December 2010, 636 patients with 715 saccular unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) underwent endovascular coiling and were followed for at least 6 months. For comparative analysis, patients were categorized into two groups according to age 40: 42 patients with 46 aneurysms who were 40 years or younger (young age group) and 594 patients with 669 aneurysms who were older than 40 years (old age group). Angiographic and clinical outcomes including recanalization rates were compared.

Angiographically, class 1 or 2 occlusion according to the Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification system was achieved in 89.2 % of the patients (91.3 % in the young age group and 89.1 % in the old age group, p = 0.74). Procedure-related complication rate was 2.2 % and 3.4 % in the young and the old age group (p = 0.16), respectively. The mean follow-up duration was 30.51 ± 18.59 months. Major recanalization occurred in seven aneurysms (15.2 %) in the young age group and in 44 aneurysms (6.6 %) in the old age group (p = 0.03). Retreatment was performed in seven patients (15.2 %) in the young age group and in 35 patients (5.2 %) in the old age group (p = 0.01).

The present study showed that the technical feasibility and safety of endovascular coiling for UIA did not differ between the two age groups. However, the major recanalization rate was higher in the young age group.