Endovascular occlusion of intracranial wide-necked aneurysms with stenting (Neuroform) and coiling: mid-term and long-term results

Introduction  Coiling associated with placement of self-expandable intracranial stents has amplified the treatment of intracranial wide-necked aneurysms, but the durability of this treatment and the existence of delayed recurrence are not yet well known. The purpose of this report is to present our experience with the Neuroform Stent associated with coiling and to evaluate complications, effectiveness, and long-term results of this technique. Methods  A retrospective study of 42 patients with wide-necked cerebral aneurysms treated with the Neuroform Stent was performed. Mean aneurysm size was 11.3 mm. Mean neck size was 5.33 mm. All patients were treated with coiling and stenting. Clinical and angiographic follow-up was available in 38 patients (90.5%). The overall follow-up time ranged from 6 months to 5 years (mean, 42 months), but most of the patients (92%) had a follow-up period superior to 1 year. Results  Successful deployment of 41 stents (97%) was obtained. Permanent procedural morbidity was observed in only one patient (2.4%). Long-term complete aneurysmal occlusion was obtained in 27 patients (71%). Aneurysmal regrowth was observed in four patients (9.5%) on the first control angiogram. After the first control angiogram, no delayed recanalization or regrowth was observed. During the follow-up period, there were no hemorrhagic events, no delayed thrombosis, and no stent displacement. Conclusion  Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of the technique, a small rate of procedural complications, and long-term tolerance of the Neuroform Stent. Despite some evidence of early aneurysmal recurrence, long-term durability of stent-assisted aneurysm occlusion is stable after the first year.