Interventional neuroradiology · London
Cerebral aneurysm coiling, by a specialist neurointerventionist.
Minimally invasive endovascular treatment for brain aneurysms. Platinum coils, flow diverters and the WEB device, chosen at neurovascular MDT and delivered in a dedicated neuroscience centre with 24/7 neurosurgical and neuro-ICU cover.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A named interventional neuroradiologist, in a dedicated neuroscience centre
Not a general angio list. A consultant INR with a high aneurysm case volume, in a centre with 24/7 neurosurgical and neuro-ICU cover.
- 02
The right device for the aneurysm
Coils, flow diverter or WEB. The device is chosen at neurovascular MDT for your specific aneurysm morphology, not by what is on the shelf.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private aneurysm coiling costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner neuroscience centres. Send the CTA or DSA report and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A private unruptured aneurysm coiling in London: £22,000 to £48,000, home in 1 to 3 days.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neurovascular MDT opinion (coil vs clip vs conservative) | £450 to £900 | 30 to 45 min | 48 hours |
| Endovascular coiling (simple aneurysm) | £22,000 to £30,000 | 2 to 3 h | Same admission |
| Balloon or stent-assisted coiling | £28,000 to £38,000 | 3 to 4 h | Same admission |
| Flow diverter (Pipeline, Silk Vista, Surpass) | £28,000 to £48,000 | 2 to 3 h | Same admission |
| WEB intrasaccular device | £24,000 to £40,000 | 2 to 3 h | Same admission |
| Follow-up MRA or DSA surveillance | £650 to £2,400 | 30 to 90 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by centre, by the interventional neuroradiologist, by which device is used, and by HDU length of stay. Ruptured aneurysms are treated on the NHS emergency pathway.
The journey
From referral to imaging follow-up, step by step.
One team from first message through neurovascular MDT to 6, 12 and 24-month imaging surveillance.
- 01
Before
You send us the CTA or DSA report
A short, confidential form. Aneurysm size, location, neck width, and any prior subarachnoid haemorrhage or family history.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: coiling, flow diverter or WEB, or an honest surgical clipping opinion. Indicative price. A neurovascular MDT is arranged.
- 03
Before
Work-up and consent
Formal DSA if not done, aspirin and clopidogrel loading if a flow diverter or stent is planned, and a full anaesthetic assessment.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the neuroscience centre
Admission, consent, and a chat with the interventional neuroradiologist, neurosurgeon on call and anaesthetist. General anaesthetic is standard.
- 05
On the day
The endovascular procedure
2 to 4 hours. Femoral or radial access, microcatheter navigated to the aneurysm under fluoroscopy, platinum coils, flow diverter or WEB deployed. Arterial closure device.
- 06
On the day
HDU overnight
A night in neuro high dependency for observation, blood pressure control and neuro checks. Home in 1 to 3 days for unruptured cases.
- 07
After
Imaging surveillance
MRA or DSA at 6 months, then 12 and 24 months. Dual antiplatelet therapy continued for 3 to 6 months if a flow diverter or stent was used.
When it helps
Which aneurysms should be treated - and when to watch.
The situations that lead to endovascular treatment, guided by PHASES score, size, location, prior SAH and family history.
-
Ruptured aneurysm with subarachnoid haemorrhage
A ruptured berry aneurysm on CT or CTA needs urgent treatment within 24 to 72 hours. NHS emergency pathway, not a private booking.
-
Incidental unruptured aneurysm
Found on an MRI or CTA done for headaches or other reasons. PHASES score, size, location and family history guide whether to treat or watch.
-
Aneurysm 5 to 7 mm or larger
Rupture risk rises with size. Most 5 to 7 mm and larger aneurysms in the anterior circulation are considered for treatment, especially in younger patients.
-
Posterior circulation aneurysm
Basilar tip, PICA and vertebral aneurysms carry higher rupture risk at smaller sizes and are usually treated endovascularly rather than clipped.
-
Wide-neck bifurcation aneurysm
Middle cerebral or basilar tip aneurysms with a wide neck are the classic indication for a WEB intrasaccular device or stent-assisted coiling.
-
Large or giant aneurysm
Aneurysms over 10 mm, and fusiform or blister aneurysms, are usually treated with a flow diverter across the parent artery neck.
-
Prior SAH or family history
A previous subarachnoid haemorrhage, or two or more first-degree relatives with aneurysms, lowers the threshold for treating an incidental aneurysm.
-
Red flag: thunderclap headache
A sudden worst-ever headache, neck stiffness, vomiting or collapse means A&E and a CT head now. This is a ruptured aneurysm until proven otherwise.
Procedure options
Coils, WEB, flow diverter, or a surgical clip.
The device or approach is chosen at neurovascular MDT for your specific aneurysm morphology, not by what is on the shelf.
-
Endovascular coiling
Platinum coils packed inside the aneurysm sac via a microcatheter. They induce thrombosis and seal the aneurysm from the circulation. The workhorse for most ruptured saccular aneurysms.
-
Balloon or stent-assisted coiling
A temporary balloon or a permanent intracranial stent supports the coil mass across a wide neck. Stents commit you to dual antiplatelet therapy for 3 to 6 months.
-
Flow diverter (Pipeline, Silk Vista, Surpass)
A dense-mesh stent laid across the aneurysm neck redirects flow along the parent artery. The aneurysm thromboses over weeks to months. Best for large, giant or wide-neck sidewall aneurysms.
-
WEB intrasaccular device
A self-expanding mesh cage sits inside the aneurysm sac itself. Ideal for wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms (MCA, basilar tip) without needing dual antiplatelet therapy.
-
Surgical clipping
Craniotomy and a titanium clip across the neck of the aneurysm. Preferred for MCA aneurysms with an accessible surface, and where endovascular access is poor.
-
Formal DSA catheter angiogram
The gold-standard imaging: a catheter angiogram gives 3D reconstruction of the neck, dome, parent artery and branches. Planned separately or at the start of the treatment session.
-
Watchful waiting
Small (under 5 mm) anterior circulation incidental aneurysms in older patients with no risk factors are often observed with serial MRA rather than treated.
-
Second-opinion review
A specialist review of your CTA or DSA, PHASES score and any prior imaging. Sometimes the answer is a repeat scan in 12 months, not a procedure.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of neuroscience centres, we picked them.
National Hospital for Neurology (UCLH Private), King’s College Hospital Private Neurointervention, HCA The Wellington Neurosurgery, Cleveland Clinic London, Imperial Private at Charing Cross, and St Mary’s Neurointervention Private. Introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
-
Consultant interventional neuroradiologists with high aneurysm case volumes
-
Dedicated neuroscience centres with 24/7 neurosurgical and neuro-ICU cover
-
Full device access: coils, balloons, stents, flow diverters and WEB
-
Neurovascular MDT with vascular neurosurgery for every complex aneurysm
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards, honestly.
Endovascular aneurysm treatment is a common, well-established procedure but not risk-free. The stroke risk, the dual antiplatelet regime and the surveillance imaging are the things worth planning for.
-
General anaesthetic is standard
A full GA is used for aneurysm coiling to keep the head absolutely still. A pre-assessment covers your fitness and any airway concerns.
-
Thromboembolic stroke (1 to 5%)
A clot forming on the coil mass or device can cause a stroke. Aspirin and clopidogrel loading before flow diverters and stents reduces this risk.
-
Intra-procedure aneurysm rupture
Uncommon (1 to 2%) but serious. The team is prepared to seal the aneurysm rapidly and manage the bleed on table. Ruptured cases carry a higher risk than unruptured.
-
Groin haematoma or radial spasm
Access-site bruising is common and settles. A serious groin haematoma or pseudoaneurysm is uncommon. Radial access has fewer access-site problems.
-
Contrast and radiation exposure
Iodinated contrast and fluoroscopy are used throughout. Dose is minimised. Renal function is checked and hydration given for at-risk patients.
-
Dual antiplatelet therapy
If a stent or flow diverter is used, you take aspirin and clopidogrel for 3 to 6 months, then aspirin alone long-term. Stopping early risks in-stent thrombosis.
-
Aneurysm recurrence and re-treatment
Coiled aneurysms can compact over time. Recurrence rates are 10 to 20% and 5 to 10% need re-treatment. Flow diverters and WEB have lower recurrence rates.
-
HDU and neuro observation
A night in high dependency with hourly neuro checks and blood pressure control. Ruptured cases stay in neuro-ICU for at least 14 days for vasospasm watch.
-
Red flags after discharge
Sudden severe headache, weakness, numbness, speech or vision change, groin swelling or bleeding. Go straight to A&E and mention your recent aneurysm treatment.
Reading your procedure report
Your coiling report in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever device was used, the report the interventional neuroradiologist sends you keeps to the same shape.
- 01 Header
Aneurysm location, size and morphology
Where the aneurysm sits (ACOM, PCOM, MCA bifurcation, basilar tip, etc), its diameter and neck width, and whether it is saccular, fusiform or blister-type.
- 02 Technique
Access, device and deployment
Femoral or radial access, microcatheter route, which device was used (coils, WEB, flow diverter, stent) and how many coils or the device size and length.
- 03 Findings
Occlusion grade and complications
Raymond-Roy occlusion grade at the end (I complete, II neck remnant, III residual aneurysm), any intra-procedure clot, spasm, or dissection, and the final angiogram result.
- 04 Impression
Antiplatelet plan and imaging follow-up
Read this first: how long to take aspirin and clopidogrel, blood pressure targets, and when the 6, 12 and 24-month MRA or DSA is booked.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for elective aneurysm coiling varies by insurer and by indication, and usually requires pre-authorisation. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything patients ask about aneurysm coiling.
Quick answers on coil vs clip, flow diverters, the WEB device, London centres and cost.
-
What is endovascular coiling of a cerebral aneurysm?
Coiling is a minimally invasive treatment for a brain aneurysm. Through a small puncture in the groin or wrist, a catheter is guided up through the arteries into the aneurysm sac. Very fine platinum coils are then packed inside the sac to trigger clotting and seal the aneurysm from the circulation. The procedure is done under general anaesthetic in an interventional neuroradiology suite and takes 2 to 4 hours.
-
Coiling or clipping - which is better?
The ISAT trial showed that, for ruptured aneurysms suitable for either approach, endovascular coiling gave a higher rate of independent survival at 1 year than surgical clipping. Coiling is now the default treatment for most ruptured aneurysms in the UK. Clipping still has a role for certain MCA aneurysms, very wide-neck lesions, and young patients where a very durable repair is the priority. Every case should be discussed at a neurovascular MDT.
-
What is a flow diverter and when is it used?
A flow diverter (Pipeline, Silk Vista or Surpass) is a dense-mesh stent laid across the neck of the aneurysm inside the parent artery. It redirects blood flow along the vessel and away from the aneurysm sac, which then clots off over weeks to months. Flow diverters are used for large or giant aneurysms, wide-neck sidewall aneurysms, blister aneurysms and fusiform disease. Dual antiplatelet therapy is essential.
-
What is the WEB device?
The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) is a self-expanding intrasaccular mesh cage that sits inside the aneurysm itself rather than in the parent artery. It is the standard device for wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms, particularly at the middle cerebral artery bifurcation and the basilar tip. A big advantage is that it does not require long-term dual antiplatelet therapy.
-
How much does aneurysm coiling cost privately in London?
Roughly £22,000 to £38,000 for standard endovascular coiling, £28,000 to £48,000 for a flow diverter and £24,000 to £40,000 for a WEB device. Prices vary by the neuroscience centre, the interventional neuroradiologist, HDU stay and imaging follow-up. We come back with a firm quote within one working day. Ruptured aneurysms are treated on the NHS emergency pathway, not privately.
-
Where can I have this done privately in London?
A small number of dedicated neuroscience centres in London offer private endovascular aneurysm treatment, including the National Hospital for Neurology at UCLH Private, King’s College Hospital Private Neurointervention, HCA The Wellington Neurosurgery, Cleveland Clinic London, Imperial Private at Charing Cross, and St Mary’s Neurointervention Private. Introductions are made privately once we understand your case.
Speak to a specialist
Send us the CTA or DSA report. We come back within a working day.
A confidential enquiry to a named interventional neuroradiologist in a dedicated London neuroscience centre. Coils, flow diverter, WEB or an honest surgical clipping opinion. No obligation.
Related
Looking for something else?
-
Carotid artery stenting
Endovascular treatment for carotid stenosis to prevent stroke.
Learn more -
Mechanical thrombectomy
Clot retrieval for acute ischaemic stroke, within the treatment window.
Learn more -
CT brain angiogram
The primary imaging test for suspected aneurysm or SAH.
Learn more -
Subarachnoid haemorrhage
The condition guide for ruptured aneurysm and thunderclap headache.
Learn more -
Stroke
Ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke, symptoms, treatment and recovery.
Learn more -
Gamma Knife radiosurgery
Stereotactic radiosurgery for AVMs and selected intracranial lesions.
Learn more