Aneurysm Coiling: How Modern Technology Prevents Brain Hemorrhage
11/01/2025
A brain aneurysm (also known as a cerebral aneurysm or intracranial aneurysm) is like a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain. Interestingly, most of the time, a brain aneurysm just sits there quietly, meaning it doesn't cause symptoms or cause health problems. That’s why many people find it during tests for other conditions.
Usually, a brain aneurysm does not rupture, but in case it grows, it can leak or rupture (hemorrhagic stroke), which can be a life-threatening situation.
Symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm are:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stiff neck
- Seizure.
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion
- Vision issues like blurred or double vision
- Sensitivity to light
Hence, a doctor can recommend timely treatment or a procedure, like aneurysm coiling, after careful assessment.
What is Aneurysm Coiling?
Aneurysm coiling is a modern, minimally invasive procedure. It is used to treat a brain aneurysm by inserting tiny platinum coils into the aneurysm. This procedure uses a thin tube passed through blood vessels to help stop blood flow into the bulge/aneurysm. This helps prevent it from bursting, without needing open brain surgery.
How does it prevent brain hemorrhage?
It stops dangerous bleeding by sealing off the weak spot in the brain blood vessel.
Fun Fact:
Aneurysm coiling was introduced in the 1990s. It is a way of treating ruptured and unruptured brain aneurysms that eliminates the need for a craniotomy (an incision that opens the skull to expose the brain).
Aneurysm Coiling Also Known as
It is also known as:
- Endovascular coiling
- Coil embolization
- Endovascular embolization
Aneurysm Coiling Procedure
Here is the simple procedure that your doctor may follow:
A. Before Aneurysm Coiling Procedure
- Your doctor confirms the aneurysm with the help of a scan.
- The analysis is done; whether the aneurysm breaks (ruptures) or not
- If yes, it can cause serious bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke) and brain damage.
- Blocking blood flow into the aneurysm helps prevent it from bursting.
- Your doctor may suggest an aneurysm coiling procedure (a minimally invasive procedure) to reduce the risk of brain hemorrhage.
- They will explain the procedure and address all your queries.
- You might be instructed to stop certain medicines and fast (no food or drink) for some hours.
B. During the Aneurysm Coiling Procedure
- All your vitals will be checked, and if you are fit for the procedure, then general anesthesia and a breathing tube can be administered.
- Or, sometimes medicines can be given to relax you, but not enough to put you to sleep.
- A small needle is placed in the groin artery.
- This tube is carefully guided up to the brain aneurysm with the help of X-ray images.
- Tiny platinum coils are slowly inserted inside the aneurysm through the catheters placed in the brain vessels.
- The coils cause blood to clot inside the aneurysm to help stop the blood flow.
- Sometimes, a stent is placed to keep coils intact if required.
- The catheter is then removed when the coils are properly positioned.
C. After Aneurysm Coiling Procedure
- After the successful surgery.
- You may be taken to the recovery room or the ICU (intensive care unit) for monitoring. If the coiling procedure was performed for a ruptured aneurysm, you will be more closely monitored in the ICU.
- If the coiling was performed to treat an unruptured aneurysm and your condition can be stable, you can go home 1 or 2 days after the procedure.
- Risks of side effects or complications will be checked.
- You will be instructed to follow certain habits
- You may feel some pain or bruising at the insertion site.
- Recovery is usually faster than with open surgery.
- Attend all the follow-up scans to check the aneurysm stays sealed.
- Take all the prescribed medications on time and do not rush heavy work.
Note: The information on aneurysm coiling is for educational purposes and is not a replacement for medical advice. Only listen to your doctor on any aneurysm coiling information.
Benefits of Aneurysm Coiling
Here are the 5 benefits of aneurysm coiling:
- Helps prevent brain hemorrhage by stopping the blood flow into the weak aneurysm area.
- Can treat aneurysms in hard-to-reach brain areas with the help of catheter navigation and advanced imaging technology
- Modern minimally invasive procedure, as it does not need to open the skull.
- Involves less pain and faster recovery.
- Shorter hospital stay.
- Faster return to daily activities.
- Lower risk of infection compared to open surgery.
Life Expectancy After Aneurysm Coiling
The life expectancy after aneurysm coiling depends on factors like:
- Aneurysm rupture
- Aneurysm size
- Aneurysm location
A 2015 study showed about 83% of individuals treated with coiling stayed alive with good independence in daily activities 10 years later
Aneurysm Coiling Complications
If done under a reliable doctor, like in Eternal Hospital, the brain aneurysm coiling procedure offers you a safer recovery compared to traditional surgery.
But, yes, like any other procedure, it also comes with risks of complications like:
- The coils can push or poke through the aneurysm/a blood vessel
- Loss of consciousness
- Stroke or mini-stroke
- One-sided body paralysis
- Bleeding
- Blood clot
- Hematoma (an area of swelling caused due to a collection of blood)
- Aphasia (inability to speak or understand speech)
- Infection
- Rupture of an aneurysm
- Increased risk of an aneurysm returning
- Blood collection in the groin, where the catheter was inserted
Who Requires Aneurysm Coiling
Doctors can recommend aneurysm coiling for individuals with the following conditions:
- A brain aneurysm that has ruptured (burst).
- Unruptured aneurysms have a higher risk of bursting, based on size, shape, or location.
- When open surgery is difficult.
- Older people and those having other medical conditions.
- If the candidate is not suitable for surgical clipping.
Aneurysm Coil Price in India
The price depends on many factors like:
- Hospital location and city
- Type of aneurysm
- Complexity of aneurysm
- Number of coils used
- Experience and fee of the neurosurgeon
- Fees of an interventional radiologist
- Duration of hospital stay
- Type of room selected
- Cost of anesthesia
- Operation theater charges
- Pre-surgery diagnostic tests such as angiograms, CT, and MR
- Postoperative care, medications
- Follow-up visits
- Patient’s overall health
- Other medical conditions
- Insurance coverage and availability of other health plans
Based on the above factors, the following are the price estimates:
- New Delhi / NCR (5,40,000 to 11,00,000)
- Mumbai (5,55,000 to 11,50,000)
- Bangalore (5,75,000 to 11,95,000)
- Chennai (5,60,000 to 11,80,000)
- Hyderabad (5,80,000 to 11,85,000)
- Kolkata (5,60,000 to 11,00,000)
- Pune (5,35,000 to 11,50,000)
- Chandigarh (5,50,000 to 11,85,000)
- Gurugram (5,40,000 to 11,75,000)
Eternal Hospital in Jaipur is best known for the aneurysm coiling procedure at a cost that is pocket-friendly.
Aneurysm Clipping vs Coiling: Which is Better
There are 2 common procedures used to treat an aneurysm. The best one depends on individual factors and is decided by the healthcare professional only.
| Key Points | Aneurysm Clipping | Aneurysm Coiling |
| Procedure | The skull is opened to reach and clip the aneurysm. | A thin tube goes via a blood vessel (generally from the leg) to place coils inside the aneurysm. |
| Invasiveness | More invasive/open brain surgery. | Minimally invasive/no skull opening. |
| Recovery | Longer recovery & hospital stay. | Quicker recovery & shorter hospital stay. |
| Risks | Higher risk of infection or brain injury. | Lower surgical risk. |
| Effectiveness | Very durable; aneurysm rarely returns. | Effective but may require repeat treatment. |
| Best for | Large or complex aneurysms. | Small aneurysms or people unfit for open surgery. |
Conclusion
Aneurysm coiling can be a safe and effective procedure to reduce the risk of aneurysm bursting and brain hemorrhage. It is important to seek immediate medical help if you experience the following symptoms:
- Pain above and behind one eye
- A dilated pupil
- Numbness of one side of the face
- Seizures
- Vision issues or double vision
So timely treatments of procedures can be done if a brain aneurysm is detected. Aneurysm clipping is more durable but invasive, while aneurysm coiling is less invasive but with a greater risk of recurrence. Your doctor will decide what is best for you based on the aneurysm's size, location, and general health.