Study on intraluminal embolization with microcoils treating traumatic pseudoaneurysms in common carotid artery in rabbits.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term effect of endovascular occlusion with microcoils on traumatic pseudoaneurysms (TPAs) in the common carotid artery in rabbits. METHODS: TPAs in the right common carotid artery were surgically made in 16 rabbits. At 3-4 weeks after operation, the survived 12 models were randomly divided into a control group (n=3) with no treatment and an experimental group (n=9), in which TPAs were intraluminally embolized with microcoils and corresponding therapy was given. Three months after embolization, the TPAs were examined with digital subtraction angiography and pathology. RESULTS: The 3 rabbits in the control group all died of rupture of TPA. Among the 9 TPAs occluded with microcoils, 4 were completely occluded, 4 were partially occluded, and 1 was excluded due to the microcoils migrating into the parent artery. Three months after embolization, the 4 TPAs which were completely occluded remained obliterated as determined by digital subtraction angiographic findings. The parent artery remained unobstructed and the structure of the TPAs were replaced by a mass of scar tissues. The 4 TPAs which were partially occluded remained unruptured and the microcoils were compressed. CONCLUSIONS: The lumen in TPA can be completely occluded by microcoils and the parent artery is unblocked. Partial occlusion of the lumen can also prevent the rupture of TPA.