Role of image fusion combining three-dimensional digital subtraction angiography with magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of unruptured cerebral aneurysms.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a recently developed image fusion of three-dimensional digital subtraction angiography (3D DSA) and magnetic resonance (MR) images, DSA-MR fusion, in the pre-treatment assessment of cerebral aneurysm.


METHODS
Eighteen patients with 21 unruptured anterior or posterior circulation aneurysms underwent pre-treatment DSA-MR fusion. The authors independently assessed whether DSA-MR fusion images provided any useful additional information compared with analysing 3D DSA and MR images separately, and if this had an impact on the therapeutic decision-making of unruptured aneurysms.


RESULTS
DSA-MR fusion images were obtained within 30 minutes for all patients. In 19 of 21 aneurysms, it provided the following additional information to the findings of 3D DSA, MR images or both: the passing course in the brain tissues of perforating arteries near or originating from an aneurysm, and/or the spatial relationship between an aneurysm and an oculomotor nerve. This information from DSA-MR fusion images was useful for diagnosis, therapeutic decision-making and the risk assessment associated with the treatment, as well as patient education regarding cerebral aneurysm.


CONCLUSIONS
DSA-MR fusion images were useful for the pre-treatment evaluation of unruptured cerebral aneurysms as a supplement to DSA and MR images.
Suzuki
Hidenori
H
Department of Neurosurgery and tDepartment of Radiology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Mie, Japan. suzuki02@clin.medic.mie-u.ac.jp
Shimizu
Shigetoshi
S
Maki
Hiroaki
H
Maeda
Masayuki
M
Sakaida
Hiroshi
H
Trousset
Yves
Y
Taki
Waro
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction / Q000379:methods*; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015840:Oculomotor Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment