Recurrence and retreatment of anterior communicating artery aneurysms after endovascular treatment: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of anterior communicating artery (Acom) aneurysm is challenging due to anatomic complexity. We aimed to describe our experiences with endovascular treatment (EVT) of Acom aneurysms, and to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of recurrence and retreatment. METHODS: The study comprised 260 patients who were treated at a single center between January 2010 and December 2018. Patients who had EVT, including stent-assisted coiling of Acom aneurysms, were included. All medical records were retrospectively reviewed. The incidence and risk factors of recurrence and retreatment were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analysis were conducted. RESULTS: Recurrence of Acom aneurysms occurred in 38 (14.6%) patients. Mean follow-up duration was 27 months (range 1–110). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that ruptured aneurysm (odds ratio [OR] 3.55, P = 0.001), dome direction (anterior) (OR 3.86, P = 0.002), maximal diameter (OR 1.19, P = 0.02), and mean age (OR 0.96, P = 0.02) were independent risk factors for aneurysm recurrence. Of 38 cases of recurrence, 10 (3.8%) patients underwent retreatment. Ruptured aneurysm (OR 14.7, P = 0.004), maximal diameter (OR 1.56, P = 0.02), inflow angle (OR 1.04, P = 0.03), and Raymond-Roy classes II and III (OR 6.19, P = 0.03) showed significant relation to retreatment in multivariate logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, recurrence rate of Acom aneurysms after EVT was 14.6%. Rupture, anterior dome direction, maximal diameter, and mean age were significantly associated with recurrence. Retreatment rate of recurrent Acom aneurysms after EVT was 3.8%. Patients with Acom aneurysms with large inflow, rupture, large size, or incomplete occlusion may be at a high risk of retreatment of recurring aneurysm.