Modified Histologic Technique for Processing Metallic Coil-Bearing Tissue

Rabbit aneurysm, 10 weeks postembolization, illustrates loose connective tissue completely filling the aneurysm’s cavity; thin layer of tissue covered with single layer of endothelial cells traverses the entire neck. Excellent tissue preservation is achieved within the dome and at the neck (H&E; original magnification, 15×).

Swine aneurysms, 1 week (A) and 12 weeks (B) postembolization.

A, Photomicrograph shows the unorganized thrombus without endothelial cell infiltration across the entire neck (H&E; original magnification, 40×).

B, Photomicrograph reveals substantial, chronic inflammatory changes in the dome, and a thick layer of hypercellular tissue across the aneurysm’s neck (H&E; original magnification, 20×). Excellent tissue preservation is achieved in both early and late time samples.

Rabbit aneurysm, 16 weeks postembolization (A), and swine aneurysm, 12 weeks postembolization (B). Photomicrographs show Masson trichrome was successfully performed on both species. A, Masson trichrome; original magnification, 40×. B, Masson trichrome; original magnification, 60×.