[3-D-TONE magnetic resonance angiography in the detection of intracranial aneurysms compared with digital subtraction angiography. A prospective study].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficiency and accuracy of the optimized 3-D-MT-TONE-magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with that of intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the detection of intracranial aneurysms.


METHODS
From March 1994 to March 1995 30 patients with 38 aneurysms were prospectively subjected to MRA as well as to DSA. Respiratory insufficient patients were excluded from MRA.


RESULTS
The aneurysm size ranged from 3-50 mm with an average size of 9 mm. Correct diagnosis was done in 33 aneurysms (86.8%) in 26 of the patients. In 4 patients (13.3%) with 5 aneurysms, the blinded readers made an incorrect diagnosis due to degradation of image quality. One (2.6%) aneurysm was falsely described via MRA as well as via DSA. The sensitivity was 86.8%. In the control group of 30 patients three aneurysms were found, therefore the specificity was 90% and we could calculate a positive predictive value of 97.1%, a negative predictive value of 84.4% and a correct diagnosis of 90.1%.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that MT-TONE-MRA is a useful non-invasive technique with improved vascular detail and vascular background for detection of intracranial aneurysm. Further technical improvements are necessary for better visualisation of pathological findings in the carotid siphon, where only 60% of the aneurysms could be clearly detected.
Falk
A
A
Institut für Radiologie und Nuklearmedizin, Knappschafts-Krankenhaus, Universitätsklinik Bochum.
Schmieder
K
K
Hentsch
A
A
Harders
A
A
Heuser
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging