Intracranial aneurysms occur in approximately two to five out of every 100 people and are often discovered by chance during imaging examinations of the head. At the USZ they are evaluated by a team of specialists from neuroradiology and neurosurgery. We will decide whether an aneurysm we found by chance should be treated or only observed.
The Department of Neuroradiology offers several treatment options:
Coil embolization involves inserting a fine microcatheter through the blood vessels into the aneurysm. The aneurysm is then filled with platinum coils, resulting in rapid blood clotting which eliminates it. Coil embolization with platinum coils as used today was first performed in 1990. Over the years it has proved to have low complication rates and to be highly effective. It is now the most commonly used treatment for intracranial aneurysms.
In this method, a flexible, very fine metal mesh is placed over the aneurysm which diverts the blood flow away from it. The advantage of the stent method is that larger diseased vessel segments with multiple aneurysms can be treated in one step. After insertion of a flow-diverter stent, blood-thinning medication must be taken for one year.
Our clinic is an internationally renowned institution in the field of diagnostics and minimally invasive, image-guided treatment. We treat diseases of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nervous system, associated organs (eyes, auditory, vestibular, etc.), and surrounding structures of the head, neck and spine.
At the Department of Neuroradiology, we strive to offer the best possible treatment to every patient. We therefore use the latest interventional methods, the most advanced materials and instruments, and cutting-edge imaging techniques.
Additionally, we hold weekly interdisciplinary conferences with experts from neurosurgery, neurology and neuroradiology during which we develop an individual therapy concept for each case. To guarantee optimal treatment selection and patient care our experienced neuroradiological interventionists further collaborate with experts from other clinics as well as with outstanding nursing and rehabilitation specialists before, during and after the intervention.
Treatment starts with the diagnosis and the decision to use minimally invasive methods. After discussing this with you during a consultation, we will schedule a timely appointment, which is in keeping with the urgency of your case and your special wishes.
The treatment requires a hospital stay of three to four days. You will arrive the morning before the procedure and we will assess your status and make the final preparations. We will use this opportunity to answer any questions you might have. On the day of the procedure, you will be taken from the ward to one of our two operating rooms, where the surgical team will meet you and perform the procedure.
Immediately after the procedure, you will be examined to make sure everything went well. We will then transfer you to a specialized monitoring ward where you will be cared for until the next day. On the following day, you will undergo a magnetic resonance examination to assess the surgical outcome and rule out any complications. Normally, you will then return to the standard ward and after another one or two days you will consult with a specialist and can then go home. During this last consultation, we will schedule appointments for further check ups.
| Hospital stay | 3 – 4 days |
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