Vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage: a 3D rotational angiography study.
OBJECTIVE
the purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical value of 3D rotational angiography (3DRA) for evaluation of cerebral vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) by comparison with 2D digital subtraction angiography (DSA).


METHODS
forty-six patients who had undergone 2D DSA and 3DRA for evaluation of cerebral vasospasm following SAH were retrospectively analyzed. 3DRA was routinely performed after standard 2D DSA. 3D volume rendering images were created from 3DRA dataset and compared with DSA for the detection and characterization of vasospasm.


RESULTS
Of the 46 patients investigated, 25 had vasospasm on 2D DSA images. No vasospasm was observed in 21 patients with aneurysmal SAH. According to the reference standard of DSA, 46 spastic segments were found in 25 patients with vasospasms. A total of 51 spastic segments were found on 3DRA volume rendering angiograms. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 3DRA for detecting vasospasm were 100, 76, 90, 100%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
the pseudo-spasm phenomenon was frequently observed on 3DRA volume rendering images. 3DRA was less useful than 2D DSA for evaluation of vasospasm after SAH.
Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Guo-En
GE
Yao
Qi
Q
Li
Xiao-Jiang
XJ
Jiang
Juan
J
Liu
Jia-Lun
JL
Li
Li-Li
LL
Zhang
Lei-Lei
LL
Li
John
J
Zhang
Peng
P
Xie
D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications*; D020301:Vasospasm, Intracranial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*