Follow-up of treated aneurysms: the challenge of recurrences and potential solutions.

Angiographic recurrences after endovascular treatment of aneurysms with platinum coils are frequent, but hemorrhages are unusual. Recurrences are more frequent in patients with large wide-necked aneurysms, when the initial occlusion is incomplete, and when patients are treated after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although many occur early on, they can appear years after treatment. None of the recent devices has been proven effective in improving long-term results. A rigorous scientific approach, including randomized trials, is imperative to forward progress in this field.