Transradial approach for coil embolization of a ruptured intracranial aneurysm during pregnancy to minimize fetal radiation exposure

Abstract

Endovascular treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage during pregnancy involves a risk of intraoperative radiation exposure to the fetus. The transradial approach does not require fluoroscopy of the maternal abdominopelvic region, which reduces fetal radiation exposure. We report a case of a female at 21 gestation weeks who developed subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a ruptured right posterior communicating artery aneurysm. The patient underwent balloon-assisted coil embolization via the transradial approach, which achieved aneurysmal obliteration with minimal fetal radiation exposure and without puncture site complications. The patient was free from neurological sequelae. Further, the patient delivered a healthy newborn through an elective cesarean section at 37 gestation weeks without any complications. The transradial approach allows endovascular treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms during pregnancy, with minimal risks of fetal radiation exposure.

Keywords

• Subarachnoid hemorrhage
• Intracranial aneurysm
• Pregnancy
• Endovascular procedure
• Radiation exposure