[Stents in the treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses]

Abstract

The treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses, which account for 10-15% of all ischemic strokes, is technically feasible for few years by the use of new flexible stent devices. Especially patients who fail best medical treatment have a poor prognosis and stenting becomes a reasonable treatment option. Herein we discuss treatment concepts and the principles of stent placement against the background of epidemiology and pathophysiologic basics.