Computer-Assisted Microcatheter Shaping for Intracranial Aneurysm Embolization.

BACKGROUND

This study investigates the accuracy, stability, and safety of computer-assisted microcatheter shaping for intracranial aneurysm coiling.

METHODS

Using the solid model, a microcatheter was shaped using computer-assisted techniques or manually to investigate the accuracy and delivery of microcatheter-shaping techniques in aneurysm embolization. Then, forty-eight patients were randomly assigned to the computer-assisted microcatheter-shaping (CAMS) group or the manual microcatheter-shaping (MMS) group, and the accuracy, stability, and safety of microcatheter in the patients were compared between the CAMS and MMS groups.

RESULTS

The speed of the successful microcatheter position was significantly faster in the CAMS group than in the MMS group (114.4 ± 23.99 s vs. 201.9 ± 24.54 s, = 0.015) in vitro. In particular for inexperienced operators, the speed of the microcatheter position with the assistance of computer software is much faster than manual microcatheter shaping (93.6 ± 29.23 s vs. 228.9 ± 31.27 s, = 0.005). In vivo, the time of the microcatheter position in the MMS group was significantly longer than that in the CAMS group (5.16 ± 0.46 min vs. 2.48 ± 0.32 min, = 0.0001). However, the mRS score at discharge, the 6-month follow-up, and aneurysm regrowth at the 6-month follow-up were all similar between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Computer-assisted microcatheter shaping is a novel and safe method for microcatheter shaping that introduces higher accuracy in microcatheter shaping during the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

SIGNIFICANT

Endovascular coiling of intracranial aneurysms can be truly revolutionized through computer assistance, which could improve the endovascular treatment of aneurysms.