Comparison of 16-row multislice CT angiography with conventional angiography for detection and evaluation of intracranial aneurysms.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to compare the diagnostic performance of 16-row computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA) with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for the detection and characterization of intracranial aneurysms in patients with nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAH).


METHODS
One-hundred and twelve consecutive patients with suspected intracranial aneurysm underwent both 16-row MDCTA and DSA. The MDCT angiograms were interpreted in a blinded fashion by using combination with VRI, MIP and MPR techniques. Sensitivity specificity and accuracy were calculated for the CTA and DSA. The results were compared with each other. The DSA reader's interpretation was accepted as the reference standard.


RESULTS
A total of 164 aneurysms were detected at DSA in 112 patients, no aneurysms were detected by DSA and MDCTA in 16 patients. Eight aneurysms were missed by MDCTA. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MDCTA on a per-aneurysm basis were 95.1%, 94.1%, and 95%, respectively. According to the size of the aneurysm less than 3mm; sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of MDCTA were 86.1%, 94.1%, 88.6%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that MDCTA is equally as sensitive as DSA in the detection of intracranial aneurysms of greater than 3mm, and it also reveals 100% detection rate for ruptured aneurysms.
Donmez
Halil
H
University of Erciyes, School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Kayseri, Turkey.
Serifov
Elman
E
Kahriman
Guven
G
Mavili
Ertugrul
E
Durak
Ahmet Candan
AC
Menkü
Ahmet
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction / Q000379:methods*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007472:Iohexol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol; C038192:iopromide