Rupture of aneurysms in the immediate post-coiling period

Purpose We present a series of cases featuring rerupture of posterior communicating artery aneurysms in the immediate post-coiling period, where clots obscured the neck of the aneurysm during the procedure. We report on the incidence of re-rupture and discuss possible mechanisms behind this phenomenon. Methods This study included 462 aneurysms over a 10-year period which were treated with endovascular coiling. 137 of these were ruptured aneurysms. Radiographic and clinical information pertaining to the patients was collected. The immediate post-coiling period was defined as <= 3 days following the procedure. Results The incidence of re-rupture in the immediate post-coiling period was 1.4% (2/137). Of these two, one received recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and both received acetylsalicylic acid. One patient presented with adjacent hematoma on re-rupture. In both cases, clot obscured the aneurysm neck during the procedure. Conclusions Re-rupture of intracranial aneurysms in the immediate post-coiling period is an exceedingly rare complication, and the events leading to it have not been discussed at length. Repeat treatment, follow-up imaging and close observation are merited in the setting of re-rupture of a posterior communicating artery aneurysm.