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Does black blood MRA have a role in the assessment of intracerebral aneurysms?

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess whether the addition of a black blood (BB) sequence to standard three-dimensional time-of-flight (3D-TOF) imaging yields improved quantitative assessment of intracranial aneurysms. Thirty seven patients with 42 proven intracranial aneurysms underwent intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography, 3D-TOF and BB MRI imaging. This multimodality imaging was used to create a composite reference aneurysm description. The 3D-TOF and BB imaging were graded on a subjective seven-point scale to determine what improvement if any the addition of BB imaging yielded. Comparison of measurements from all imaging modalities demonstrated no significant difference (p < 0.01) in aneurysm length/width or parent vessel width. Aneurysm neck measurements were underestimated on 3D-TOF images although there was still a significant correlation (R 2 = 0.72, p < 0.05). Comparison of TOF and BB examinations to the composite reference using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed significant improvement in the demonstration of the aneurysm to parent/branch vessels and the morphology/size of the aneurysm neck, particularly in the setting of local haematoma or slow flow (p < 0.001). We propose the addition of the BB sequence as a useful adjunct to 3D-TOF imaging particularly when detailed aneurysm morphology is required or there is thrombus in subarachnoid space.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Hope Hospital, Stott Lane, Salford, M6 8HD, UK

    Jonathan N. Harris

  2. Department of Imaging Science and Biomedical Engineering, Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre, 27 Palatine Road, Withington, Manchester, UK, M20 3LJ

    Stavros M. Stivaros & Alan Jackson

  3. Imaging Directorate, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, UK

    William Adams

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  1. Stavros M. Stivaros
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  2. Jonathan N. Harris
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  3. William Adams
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Correspondence to Alan Jackson.

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Stivaros, S.M., Harris, J.N., Adams, W. et al. Does black blood MRA have a role in the assessment of intracerebral aneurysms?. Eur Radiol 19, 184–192 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-008-1127-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-008-1127-2

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