Titanium aneurysm clips: Part III--Clinical application in 16 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

This report describes the first clinical use of newly developed titanium clips in the treatment of 16 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. There were no immediate or delayed complications related to the titanium clips. Thirteen patients had good outcomes, and one patient had moderate disabilities (mean follow-up, 5.4 mo). Two patients with Hunt and Hess Grade IV hemorrhages died postoperatively. The average cross-sectional areas of clip artifact on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging studies was 0.96, 1.36, and 1.05 cm2 on T1-, T2-, and intermediate-weighted images, respectively. In comparison, a matched control group with cobalt alloy clips had average cross-sectional areas of 3.13, 3.70, and 2.81 cm2 on T1-, T2-, and intermediate-weighted images, respectively. The average artifact volumes on gradient echo magnetic resonance images for titanium and cobalt alloy clips were 1.8 and 10.1 cm3, respectively. In addition, the gap on magnetic resonance imaging angiograms from clip artifacts was 0.9 cm with titanium and 2.6 cm with cobalt alloy clips. In conclusion, titanium aneurysm clips seem to be safe and effective and seem to reduce clip artifacts on magnetic resonance imaging threefold, compared with commercially available cobalt alloy clips. Because of this important advantage over conventional clips, titanium clips should be considered for routine use in aneurysm surgery.