Late coil migration after embolization of cerebral aneurysms – case series

Introduction: We report three cases of patients with unruptured aneurysms treated with coils and remodeling balloon technique, in which control exam some coils were seen in arteries distant from the embolization site.

Cases: The first case was that of a left posterior communicating artery aneurysm with coil migration to a distal cortical branch of ipsilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA). The patient had mild paresthesia in the arm for a few days. The second one was a fenestrated basilar artery aneurysm with coil migration to the P2 segment of the left posterior cerebral artery. The patient was fully asymptomatic. The third case was an MCA aneurysm with coil migration to the M3 segment.

Results: There were no ischemic complications, and all patients underwent a new endovascular procedure. Coil migration after cerebral aneurysm embolization is a very rare complication. It can take place early or late in the postoperative period, evolving asymptomatic and causing severe neurological deficits.

Conclution: Ruptured aneurysms of anterior communicant artery were the most frequent reported examples in the literature. Coil migration is a rare but not always severe complication. Antiplatelet agents are recommended even if the coil migration is asymptomatic.

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).