Computer-Assisted Microcatheter Shaping for Intracranial Aneurysm Embolization

Background: This study investigates the accuracy, stability, and safety of computer-assisted microcatheter shaping for intracranial aneurysm coiling. Methods: Using the solid model, a microcatheter was shaped using computer-assisted techniques or manually to investigate the accuracy and delivery of microcatheter-shaping techniques in aneurysm embolization. Then, forty-eight patients were randomly assigned to the computer-assisted microcatheter-shaping (CAMS) group or the manual microcatheter-shaping (MMS) group, and the accuracy, stability, and safety of microcatheter in the patients were compared between the CAMS and MMS groups. Results: The speed of the successful microcatheter position was significantly faster in the CAMS group than in the MMS group (114.4 ± 23.99 s vs. 201.9 ± 24.54 s, p = 0.015) in vitro. In particular for inexperienced operators, the speed of the microcatheter position with the assistance of computer software is much faster than manual microcatheter shaping (93.6 ± 29.23 s vs. 228.9 ± 31.27 s, p = 0.005). In vivo, the time of the microcatheter position in the MMS group was significantly longer than that in the CAMS group (5.16 ± 0.46 min vs. 2.48 ± 0.32 min, p = 0.0001). However, the mRS score at discharge, the 6-month follow-up, and aneurysm regrowth at the 6-month follow-up were all similar between the groups. Conclusions: Computer-assisted microcatheter shaping is a novel and safe method for microcatheter shaping that introduces higher accuracy in microcatheter shaping during the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Significant: Endovascular coiling of intracranial aneurysms can be truly revolutionized through computer assistance, which could improve the endovascular treatment of aneurysms.