Mechanical intracranial embolectomy. A report of two cases.

SUMMARY: Cerebral ischaemia due to thrombo-embolic complications of intracranial endovascular therapy remains one of the more obvious hazards of this otherwise rather gentle treatment. In this connection the time factor is usually well controlled and the possibility to achieve a good result from thrombolysis are possibly better(7). To directly extract an embolus mechanically would be an attractive alternative. This has so far been hampered by the lack of suitable tools. The use of a microsnare intended for intravascular retrieval of foreign bodies like displaced coils or broken catheters shown here must further encourage development of specially designed "thrombectomy devices" for intracranial use. Such a tool may well have an impact on the treatment of noniatrogenic emboli as well.