Performance analysis of 8-channel MDCT angiography in detection, localization, and sizing of intracranial aneurysms identified on DSA.
OBJECTIVE
To retrospectively analyze the performance of 8-channel multi-detector computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA) in detecting, localizing, and sizing intracranial aneurysms using conventional intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the gold standard.


METHODS
A retrospective search from November 2004 to August 2006 revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in 25 patients (13 females and 12 males, age range 21-73 years) who underwent both DSA and 8-channel MDCTA exams. Two independent reviewers compared both studies for the presence, location, and size of the aneurysm.


RESULTS
A total of 35 aneurysms in 25 patients were identified on DSA, and 33 on MDCTA. MDCTA missed two 4-mm posterior communicating artery (PcoA) aneurysms. There was a mismatch in the location of two aneurysms. One aneurysm at PcoA on DSA was reported as a supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm on MDCTA. The other on M2 bifurcation was reported as on M1. No size mismatch was noted. MDCTA had a 94% (33/35) aneurysm detection rate, 88% (31/35) aneurysm localization rate and 100% (33/33) sizing rate.


CONCLUSIONS
MDCTA correlated perfectly with DSA in the detection of intracranial aneurysms of anterior communicating artery and middle cerebral artery; however, slightly lower performance was noted in the PcoA and ICA supraclinoid segment aneurysms.
Peker
Ahmet
A
Department of Radiology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Ustüner
Evren
E
Ozkavukcu
Esra
E
Sancak
Tanzer
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult