A new procedure which makes use of platinum is being hailed for its ability to provide a cure for brain aneurysms, it was revealed yesterday (20th July).

The life-threatening condition, which sees a blood vessel expanding and potentially bursting at any moment, has traditionally been treated through risky open surgery.

However, researchers have developed a new technique that sees tiny, flexible platinum coils fed through into the affected area of the brain with the help of x-ray fluoroscopy.

"The coil basically fills the aneurysm and then it induces clot," Dr Christopher Koebbe, Neurosurgeon at the U-T Health Science Center, told kens5.com.

"And clot fills the aneurysm sack along with the coil mass and thus, blood doesn't get into the aneurysm and blood can't get out and rupture."

The two-hour procedure involves passing the coils - which are the same width as two human hairs - through a patient's heart, the vessels in the neck and then into the brain.

Although not all aneurysms can be treated in this fashion, the procedure has been shown to offer patients a full recovery and fewer complications in the future than with surgery.

"We can do it through a centimetre incision in the groin area as opposed to opening the skull to go in and place a clip," Dr Koebbe added.

"And so the patients often go home the next day after the procedure."

The process was first trialled in an international study in 2002, which was halted early as the results were particularly promising.

Sources:

Coil procedure can cure brain aneurysms (20/07/09)

Coil can cut aneurysm death risk (02/09/05)

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