Intra-arterial foreign body retrieved using endoscopic biopsy forceps

Area of Science:

• Interventional Radiology
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Therapeutic embolization is a common procedure to treat various vascular conditions.
• Inadvertent migration of embolic devices, such as the Gianturco-Anderson-Wallace (GAW) coil, can complicate the procedure.
• Surgical intervention for misplaced coils is often complex and carries significant risks.

Observation:

• A case of inadvertent misplacement of a GAW coil during therapeutic embolization is presented.
• The coil's location precluded simple or practical surgical removal.

Findings:

• A percutaneous retrieval of the misplaced GAW coil was successfully performed.
• Easily maneuverable grasping forceps were utilized for the retrieval.
• This minimally invasive approach avoided the need for open surgery.

Implications:

• Percutaneous retrieval offers a viable and less invasive alternative to surgery for misplaced GAW coils.
• This technique enhances patient safety and reduces procedural complications.
• It expands the interventionalist's toolkit for managing embolic device misplacement.