Related Experiment Videos
Coil embolization of congenital thoracic vascular anomalies in infants and children
Insights
Pediatric thoracic vascular anomalies can be treated with coil embolization, a minimally invasive technique. This new coil-delivery system offers accurate and safe vessel occlusion in infants, proving beneficial for patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- Significant thoracic vascular anomalies in children often pose surgical challenges.
- Minimally invasive treatment options are sought to avoid complex surgical interventions.
Observation:
- A novel coil-delivery system was utilized for embolizing thoracic vessels in pediatric patients.
- Gianturco steel coils, coated with thrombogenic Dacron, were delivered via small catheters (5-6F) suitable for infants.
Findings:
- Seventeen vessels were embolized in five children using the new system.
- Fifteen out of 17 targeted vessels were successfully occluded.
- The procedure demonstrated a high rate of successful occlusion with no reported complications or placement errors.
Implications:
- Coil embolization is an accurate and safe method for treating pediatric thoracic vascular anomalies, even in neonates.
- This technique serves as a valuable alternative or adjunct to surgical management.
- Successful embolization led to clear clinical benefits in the majority of treated children.
Abstract:
When significant thoracic vascular anomalies occur in children, they may present surgical difficulties making operative management undesirable. The recent development of a new, accurate coil-delivery system has enabled us to embolize 17 vessels in five children by passing Gianturco steel coils coated with thrombogenic Dacron strands through No. 5 or 6F end-hole catheters suitable for infants. Coils of 0.038 inch packed diameter were fed through the catheter lumen by a flexible guidewire emerging as 3, 5, or 8 mm diameter loose coils. Fifteen of 17 vessels were successfully occluded. No complications or errors in placement of coils occurred. Four of five children clearly benefitted from the procedure. One died in spite of partial occlusion. Coil embolization can be performed accurately and safely even in small infants with a high rate of successful occlusion and may prove to be a valuable adjunct to operative management.