Helical high-resolution volume-rendered 3-dimensional computer tomography angiography in the detection of intracranial aneurysms.
OBJECTIVE
This study was carried out to determine whether high-resolution 3-dimensional prospective-volume-rendered computed tomographic (CT) angiography can replace conventional intra-arterial digital subtractional angiography in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with an acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to ruptured intracranial aneurysm.


METHODS
Both techniques were performed in 30 consecutive patients within 2 to 12 hours after their admission to the hospital.


RESULTS
In this group of 30 patients, CT angiography with 3-dimensional volume-rendered reconstruction detected 31 aneurysms in 25 patients. Two aneurysms were missed on CT angiography. Conventional angiography detected 33 aneurysms in 27 patients. The authors considered angiograms in 3 patients presenting with SAH as normal. In all cases where an aneurysm was detected on CT angiography, the finding was confirmed by conventional angiography.


CONCLUSIONS
CT angiography with 3-dimensional post-processing is a sensitive, noninvasive method that provides a 3-dimensional view of intracranial vessels and the aneurysm. It is also very useful in planning either surgical or endovascular treatment.
Seruga
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T
Department of Radiology, Maribor Teaching Hospital, Ljubljanska ulica 5, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia. tomaz.seruga@sb-mb.si
Bunc
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G
Klein
G E
GE
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed