Is a Head CT Necessary After Uncomplicated Coiling of Unruptured Intracranial Aneuryms?

Abstract

In this study, we sought to determine whether routine head computed tomographies (CTs) after uncomplicated coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms can add any significant clinical value. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 139 patients with unruptured aneurysms who underwent 150 elective coiling procedures between January 2008 and June 2010. A total of 6 head CTs were obtained emergently after intraprocedural complications and 122 head CTs were obtained routinely after uncomplicated coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms. The 122 head CTs that were obtained routinely after uncomplicated coil embolization of unruptured intracranial aneurysms did not show any acute or subacute changes. A head CT after uncomplicated coil embolization of an intracranial aneurysm does not add any significant clinical value and should not be ordered routinely.