Three-dimensional CT angiography of intracranial vasospasm following subarachnoid haemorrhage

Neuroradiology. 1998 Oct;40(10):631-5. doi: 10.1007/s002340050654.

Abstract

We evaluated the usefulness of three-dimensional CT angiography (3D-CTA) in the diagnosis of intracranial vasospasm following subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) in 13 patients suspected of having vasospasm on clinical grounds. The intracranial vessels were clearly shown by 3D-CTA in 12 patients. 3D-CTA revealed spasm in the vessels of nine patients. Catheter angiography performed in seven of these patients immediately after 3D-CTA confirmed vasospasm. A low-attenuation area was seen on CT in the other two patients, representing an ischaemic lesion due to the spasm. In nine patients, a second 3D-CTA was performed using the same technique 1 week after the first, showing no vasospasm. Initial 3D-CTA revealed no vasospasm change in three patients. Following 3D-CTA, one of these had conventional angiography, which also demonstrated no spasm.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cerebral Angiography*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted*
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / complications*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*