ObjectivesWe aimed to evaluate risk factors of sis-VADAs recurrence after reconstructive treatment based on 113 reconstructed lesions.MethodsA total of 111 patients (M:F = 68:43; median age, 47 years) with 113 sis-VADAs underwent reconstruction from October 2000 to March 2011, using stent(s) and coils. Treatments and predictors of recurrence were retrospectively analysed.ResultsFifty-eight sis-VADAs underwent single-stent treatment, and the remaining 55 sis-VADAs underwent treatment with 2-4 overlapping stents. Follow-up angiography was available for 94 sis-VADAs 12 -78 months, with recurrence in ten patients, including seven angiographic recurrences and three post-treatment haemorrhagic recurrences. A higher rate of post-treatment recurrence was observed in the single stent group than in the multiple stents group (p = 0.010). The interaction between stent (s) implantation and immediate occlusion degree (odds ratio [OR] =3.152; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.293-7.686; p = 0.012), between stent (s) implantation and the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) involvement (OR = 4.607; 95 % CI, 1.172-18.113; p = 0.029), and between PICA involvement and immediate occlusion degree (OR = 5.018; 95 % CI, 1.263-19.933; p = 0.022) affect recurrence in the reconstructed sis-VADAs.ConclusionsThis single centre cohort study indicated that the interaction effect between stent (s) implantation, PICA involvement, and immediate occlusion degree were closely associated with recurrence after reconstructive treatment of sis-VADA.Key Points• The interaction between stent (s) and immediate occlusion degree affect aneurysmal recurrence• The interaction between stent and PICA involvement affect aneurysmal recurrence• The interaction between PICA involvement and immediate occlusion degree affect aneurysmal recurrenceElectronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00330-014-3225-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.