CT angiography, MR angiography and rotational digital subtraction angiography for volumetric assessment of intracranial aneurysms. An experimental study

Neuroradiology. 2003 Jun;45(6):404-9. doi: 10.1007/s00234-002-0922-8. Epub 2003 Apr 26.

Abstract

The purpose of our experimental study was to assess the accuracy and precision of CT angiography (CTA), MR angiography (MRA) and rotational digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for measuring the volume of an in vitro aneurysm model. A rigid model of the anterior cerebral circulation harbouring an anterior communicating aneurysm was connected to a pulsatile circuit. It was studied using unenhanced 3D time-of-flight MRA, contrast-enhanced CTA and rotational DSA angiography. The source images were then postprocessed on dedicated workstations to calculate the volume of the aneurysm. CTA was more accurate than MRA (P=0.0019). Rotational DSA was more accurate than CTA, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.1605), and significantly more accurate than MRA (P<0.00001). CTA was more precise than MRA (P=0.12), although this did not reach statistical significance. Rotational DSA can be part of the diagnosis, treatment planning and support endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The emerging endovascular treatment techniques which consist of using liquid polymers as implants to exclude aneurysms from arterial circulation would certainly benefit from this precise measurement of the volume of aneurysms.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Angiography, Digital Subtraction*
  • Carotid Artery, Internal / diagnostic imaging
  • Carotid Artery, Internal / physiopathology
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology
  • Contrast Media
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / diagnosis*
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / physiopathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography*
  • Observer Variation
  • Postmortem Changes
  • Pulsatile Flow / physiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial

Substances

  • Contrast Media