Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate factors affecting recurrence and effects and safety of endovascular retreatment for aneurysms recurrent after embolization. METHODS: Among 815 aneurysms treated with embolization, recurrence was in 114 aneurysms (14.0%). Forty-three recurrent aneurysms were managed with re-embolization. Procedural complications, angiographic, and clinical results of retreatment were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients with recurrent aneurysms were significantly (P < 0.01) younger than without recurrence (51.09 ± 10.46 vs. 53.88 ± 9.61 years). Recurrent aneurysms (n = 114) were significantly (P = 0.00) greater (11.12 ± 8.35 vs. 5.81 ± 3.44 mm) with a significantly (P = 0.00) greater neck (4.34 ± 2.26 vs. 2.90 ± 1.44 mm) than without recurrence. The rupture status of aneurysms significantly (P = 0.00) affected recurrence at follow-up. Significantly (P = 0.00) more aneurysms without recurrence were treated with advanced embolization techniques (81.0% vs. 62.3%) and got complete occlusion at the first embolization than those with recurrence (93.7% vs. 36.8%). In treating 43 recurrent aneurysms, stent-assisted recoiling was used in 48.8% in the first retreatment and 50% in the second and third retreatment procedures. Angiographic follow-up in 38 (88.4%) cases showed complete or near complete occlusion in 30 aneurysms, with the rest eight aneurysms experiencing a second recurrence (21.1%). Of the eight aneurysms with the second recurrence, five underwent the second endovascular retreatment, with complete aneurysm occlusion achieved in three cases (60%), near-complete occlusion in one (20%), and incomplete occlusion in one case at immediate angiography and six-month follow-up. Procedure-related complications occurred in three patients. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular retreatment of recurrent previously coiled aneurysms is safe and effective even though advanced embolization techniques are frequently involved especially for large and giant aneurysms.