Volume-rendered 3D display of MR angiograms in the diagnosis of cerebral arteriovenous malformations.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether application of a volume-rendered display of 3D time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography could assist the diagnosis of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).


METHODS
Volume-rendered 3D images of postcontrast 3D time-of-flight MR angiography were compared with conventional angiograms in 12 patients. The correlation between the 3D images and the operative findings was also analyzed in 5 patients.


RESULTS
The 3D-displayed images showed all of the feeders and drainers in 10 and 9 patients, respectively. In all patients, the nidus was three-dimensionally visualized. In 3 patients with hematomas, the relationship between the hematoma and the AVM was well demonstrated. The 3D images corresponded well with the operative findings in the 5 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This method is of help in assessing the relationship between the components of an AVM as well as that between an AVM and an associated hematoma.
Tsuchiya
K
K
Department of Radiology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan. tsuchiyak-kyr@umin.ac.jp
Katase
S
S
Hachiya
J
J
Shiokawa
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D002538:Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged