Mechanisms of Healing in Coiled Intracranial Aneurysms: A Review of the Literature

A and B, Histopathologic hematoxylin-eosin stains (original magnification ×15 and ×60, respectively) of a rabbit aneurysm dome 1 week postcoiling demonstrate unorganized thrombus filling the aneurysm dome around the coil loops. No endothelialization has occurred at the aneurysm neck. Histopathologic hematoxylin-eosin stains (original magnification ×10 and ×150, respectively) for a rabbit aneurysm dome 6 weeks postcoiling demonstrate loose connective tissue in the aneurysm dome surrounding the coil loops (C) and an incomplete layer of endothelium-lined neointima over the aneurysm neck (D). The neointima and endothelial cells at the neck interface are both continuous with that of the parent artery. E and F, Histopathologic hematoxylin-eosin stains (original magnification ×10 and ×15, respectively) 12 months postcoiling demonstrate loose connective tissue in the aneurysm dome surrounding coil loops (E) and a layer of neointima of variable thickness covering the aneurysm neck (F). The neointima and endothelial cells at the neck interface are both continuous with those of the parent artery. G and H, Histopathologic hematoxylin-eosin stains (original magnification, ×20 and ×125, respectively) of the aneurysm dome 12 months postcoiling demonstrate loose connective tissue in the aneurysm dome.