Endovascular balloon occlusion is an alternative treatment for surgically unclippable
cerebral aneurysms. The results of
aneurysm occlusion with either a
silicone or a
latex balloon in a common carotid artery bifurcation
aneurysm model are compared to determine which type of balloon was least likely to result in
aneurysm recurrence. Five rabbits each underwent endovascular balloon occlusion with either a
silicone or a
latex balloon, with seven rabbits serving as controls. At 3 months postocclusion, nine of the 10 balloon-treated
aneurysms had recurred. The recurrent
aneurysm tended to be larger in animals treated with
silicone than with
latex balloons. A dense fibrotic response was present around the collar of the
latex balloons, but no significant fibrotic response was found in the
silicone balloon group. This study suggests that with currently available balloons, the initial complete angiographic obliteration of an
aneurysm following balloon occlusion should not be interpreted as a cure and that periodic follow-up angiography should be performed.