Endovascular removal of a symptomatic intracranial foreign body via contact aspiration: illustrative case.

backgroundWith the growing utilization of general endovascular techniques, iatrogenic endovascular foreign bodies have become more prevalent. Contact aspiration has proven to be a valuable technique in treating ischemic strokes by removing the intraluminal thrombus causing cerebral perfusion deficits and neurological symptoms. The authors present a case of the removal of a foreign body from the vasculature via contact aspiration, which had embolized in a delayed fashion after aortic valve replacement. OBSERVATIONS: A 54-year-old male developed intermittent left-sided weakness 8 days after aortic valve replacement. A head computed tomography scan showed a metallic foreign body within the origin of the M2 superior division of the middle cerebral artery suspected to be a migrated Cor-Knot fastener. During angiography, the foreign body was repositioned and removed via contact aspiration. Postprocedurally, magnetic resonance imaging scans showed a small area of diffusion restriction in the right basal ganglia. The patient was neurologically intact and was discharged on postprocedure day 2 without further neurological sequelae. LESSONS: Contact aspiration is a safe and effective technique to remove foreign bodies from the intracranial circulation; however, it requires a quality interface between the aspiration catheter and the foreign body throughout the aspiration process. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24376.