Magnetic Resonance Imaging Safety of Retained Tip and Protective Coils after Faulty Deployment of an Intracranial Pipeline Embolization Device: A Case Report

The development of flow-diverters such as the Pipeline embolization device (PED) have allowed for safe and effective treatment of challenging and/or previously untreatable intracranial aneurysms. A rare but serious complication during PED deployment involves fracture of single or multiple components, which can lead to retained hardware. To date, there are little data regarding the safety of performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when tip or capture coils remain intracranially. To the best of our knowledge, we present the first case demonstrating the safe completion of MRI after treatment of 2 posterior circulation aneurysms in a woman aged 69 years presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage whose treatment was complicated by fracture and subsequent retention of the PED tip and capture coils. MRI (1.5T) appears safe and effective in patients who have retained PED tips and/or capture coils.