BACKGROUND: The use of stent-assisted coiling (SAC) has been shown to be a 
treatment option for complex aneurysms. We reviewed systematically the immediate 
and mid-term angiographic results following treatment of wide-necked aneurysms 
with self-expanding stents and coils, as well as the peri- and postprocedural 
rate of complications.
METHODS: A computerized database search was conducted from 01/2000 to 04/2011 
using appropriate indexed terms on Pubmed. Inclusion criteria were: (1) 
homogeneous populations of ≥10 patients with wide-necked aneurysms; (2) use of a 
self-expandable neurovascular stent and coils for aneurysm treatment; (3) 
immediate and follow-up angiographic results; and (4) periprocedural and delayed 
thrombotic complications.
RESULTS: Seventeen studies were included, containing retrospectively collected 
data on 656 patients/702 aneurysms. The target aneurysm was located on the 
anterior circulation in 78.4% of patients. The immediate rate of complete 
occlusion was 46.3%, (19.3-98.1%). The intra- and postprocedural rate of 
intrastent thrombosis or thromboembolic event was 4.6% and 4.3%, respectively. 
Complete occlusion was documented in 71.9% at last angiographic follow-up. The 
rate of recanalization was 13.2% of aneurysms (0-28.8%). Delayed in-stent 
stenosis occurred in 5.3% cases (0-20.6%).
CONCLUSION: SAC has been considered a treatment option for selected wide-necked 
aneurysms in some institutions. The use of intracranial stents should take into 
consideration the risk of ischemic complications, recanalization, delayed 
in-stent stenosis; and the currently unknown lifetime risks for stenosis, 
vascular injury, device failure, and aneurysm recurrence related to intracranial 
stenting. There is an evident need for a prospective multicenter registry for 
all treated patients with SAC.