[Recent studies on intracranial stenosis].

clinical issueSymptomatic intracranial stenoses are associated with a high risk of stroke. Medical management with platelet inhibitors or anticoagulation has not been shown to substantially lower this risk. Hence, alternative treatment options are desperately needed. TREATMENT INNOVATIONS: The concept of percutaneous intervention using balloon angioplasty with or without stenting is appealing at first sight which is why intracranial balloons and stents were developed. PERFORMANCE: Initial studies using dedicated intracranial stents were more promising; however, the only randomized trial recently published using a dedicated intracranial self-expanding stent demonstrated a high periprocedural complication rate. EVALUATION AND PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Due to study design limitations it would be premature to categorically denounce an interventional option for the treatment of symptomatic intracranial stenoses. More importantly, the results of the randomized SAMMPRIS trial should stimulate the development of safer technology and patient selection to minimize procedural risks. This will perhaps allow significant risk reduction of this potentially devastating intracranial condition when it cannot otherwise be addressed.