Research Appraisals
Evidence-based critical appraisals of the latest medical research, systematically evaluated using Oxford CEBM methodology.
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Journal of neurointerventional surgery
Long-term outcomes of the Woven EndoBridge device for intracranial aneurysms: systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device is widely recognized as a safe and effective treatment for intracranial aneurysms (IAs). However, data on the long-term evolution of aneurysm occlusion remain limited. This meta-analysis evaluates the long-term (≥1 year) safety and efficacy outcomes of patients treated with the WEB device. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for studies published between January 1, 2011 and August 1, 2024 following PRISMA guidelines. Studies reporting outcome for IAs treated with the WEB device and a follow-up period of ≥1 year were included. Data were pooled using a random-effects model to account for variability across studies. RESULTS: A total of 25 studies including 1735 patients and 1768 aneurysms were analyzed (30.1% ruptured). The pooled adequate occlusion rates were 87.3% (95% CI 83.5% to 91.1%) at 1 year, 90.7% (95% CI 86.2% to 95.2%) at 1-2 years, 93.3% (95% CI 87.7% to 99.0%) at 3 years, and 88.4% (95% CI 80.5% to 96.4%) at 5 years. Adequate occlusion was achieved in 89.2% (95% CI 83.0% to 93.2%) of unruptured aneurysms and 85.9% (95% CI 80.2% to 90.1%) of ruptured aneurysms. The overall retreatment rate at the last long-term follow-up was 7.2% (95% CI 4.8% to 9.6%). No procedure- or device-related adverse events were reported beyond 1-year follow-up. Additionally, no cases of delayed rupture or aneurysm rebleeding were observed. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis confirms the high long-term efficacy and safety of the WEB device in treating both ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. The findings support the WEB device as a reliable and effective treatment option for IAs.
16 May 2026
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Transverse venous sinus stenting versus cerebrospinal fluid shunting in idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a multi-institutional and multinational database study
BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting and transverse venous sinus (TVS) stenting are promising treatment choices for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), addressing different aspects of IIH pathophysiology. However, large-scale comparative data remain limited. METHODS: We performed a multinational, multi-institutional, retrospective propensity score-matched analysis using the TriNetX platform. Adult patients diagnosed with IIH who underwent either TVS stenting or CSF shunting were included. The primary outcome was treatment failure, defined as the need for subsequent procedures (repeat TVS stenting, CSF shunt, or optic nerve fenestration). Secondary outcomes included residual symptoms (headache, visual disturbances, dizziness, and pulsatile tinnitus), ongoing use of IIH-related medications (furosemide, acetazolamide, and topiramate), and healthcare utilization, assessed through unplanned hospital readmissions and emergency department (ED) visits at 1 year follow-up. RESULTS: Of 134 530 IIH patients identified, 1362 underwent TVS stenting and 5278 underwent CSF shunting. After propensity score matching, patients who received TVS stenting had significantly lower odds of repeat interventions (9.6% vs 38.6%; OR 0.169, 95% CI 0.136 to 0.212, P<0.001). They also had significantly lower odds of residual headache, visual disturbances, and papilledema. However, stenting was associated with higher odds of persistent pulsatile tinnitus (6.7% vs 2.2%; OR 3.183, P<0.001). TVS stenting was associated with lower odds of unplanned inpatient readmissions (24.1% vs 40.5%; OR 0.466, P<0.001) and ED visits (22.0% vs 34.0%; OR 0.548, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Both TVS stenting and CSF shunting resulted in symptomatic improvement and reduced medication use in patients with IIH. However, stenting was associated with significantly lower treatment failure rates, fewer residual papilledema, headaches and visual symptoms, and reduced healthcare utilization. Persistent pulsatile tinnitus was more common following stenting.
17 Apr 2026
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