loop [Neurosurgery Wiki]

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In the context of neurointervention, a loop refers to a curved or circular configuration formed by a microcatheter or guidewire, often within the aneurysm sac or vessel, to achieve access or stability during an endovascular procedure.

🧠 Common Uses of “Loop” in Neurointervention:
Intra-aneurysmal loop:

The microcatheter is intentionally looped inside a wide-necked aneurysm to reach the distal parent artery.

Often used in the "around-the-world" technique for stent-assisted coiling.

Helps anchor the system and stabilize catheter position when standard navigation fails.

Vascular loop:

A pre-existing anatomical variant where an artery (e.g., vertebral artery) forms a loop.

Can pose challenges for catheterization or mask vascular pathology.

Microguidewire loop:

A deliberate looping of the tip of a microwire to prevent perforation in fragile vessels or during exploration of tortuous anatomy.

🧪 Example (Educational):
In a case of a large, wide-necked MCA aneurysm, the interventionist used a looped microcatheter technique, navigating the catheter tip in a circular path within the sac to reach the distal M2 segment for stent deployment.