ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Stent-assisted coil embolization has become an important technique for the treatment of intracranial complex aneurysms. However, there is no systematic analysis of complications and prevention strategies related to this technique. OBJECTIVE: To systematically analyze the complications related to stent-assisted coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms during perioperative and follow-up periods and to assess the safety of this method. METHODS: A retrospective study of 232 consecutive patients with 239 wide-necked aneurysms who underwent stent-assisted coil embolization at the Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command from July 2003 to December 2009 was performed. Angiographic results and clinical outcomes were evaluated. A variety of complications were analyzed. The technical feasibility of the procedure, procedure-related complications, angiographic results, clinical outcomes and follow-up angiography were evaluated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Stenting was successful in the 236 of 239 aneurysms. Procedure-related complications included thomboembolism (n=13), intraprocedural rupture (n=8), coil protrusions (n=5), new mass effect (n=3), vessel injury (n=3), and stent dislodgement (n=2). Procedure-related morbidity and mortality was 4.3% (10/232) and 1.3% (3/232), respectively. Nonprocedural complications attributable to subarachnoid hemorrhage in 129 patients with acute ruptured aneurysms were symptomatic vasospasm (18.6%, 24/129) and shunt-dependent hydrocephalus (7.0%, 9/129). Favorable clinical outcomes (mRS 0-2) were observed in 88.3% (205/232) of the patients, and no rehemorrhage of treated aneurysms occurred. Follow-up angiography was obtained in 155 patients (159 treated aneurysms). The overall recanalization rate was 14.5% (23/159). No stenting or coiling displacement occurred during the follow-up. Delayed complications included in-stent stenosis (n=2) and penetrating artery occlusion (n=2). In conclusion, our study indicates that stent-assisted coil embolization of intracranial aneurysm is a safe technique with low morbidity and mortality rates. Thromboembolism is the main cause of procedure-related disability and death. Nevertheless, further long-term follow-up is necessary to determine the durability of these promising results.