title: Angiographic CT with intravenous contrast agent application for monitoring of intracranial flow diverting stents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intracranial flow diverting devices are increasingly used to treat cerebral aneurysms. A reliable, non-invasive follow-up modality would be desirable. Our aim was to compare intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (ia DSA) to angiographic computed tomography with intravenous contrast agent application (iv ACT) in the visualisation of flow diverting devices and aneurysm lumina.
  
  
  METHODS
  Follow-up monitoring by iv ACT (n = 36) and ia DSA (n = 25) in 14 patients treated with flow diverting devices for intracranial aneurysms was evaluated retrospectively. Images were evaluated by two neuroradiologists in anonymous consensus reading regarding the device deployment, wall apposition, neck coverage of the aneurysm, opacification of the vessel and device lumen, as well as the degree of aneurysm occlusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Corresponding ia DSA and iv ACT images were scored identically in all patients regarding the stent deployment, wall apposition and neck coverage, as well as the degree of aneurysm occlusion and patency status of the device and parent artery. Opacification of the parent vessel lumen and perfused parts of the aneurysm was considered slightly inferior for iv ACT in comparison with ia DSA (seven of 36 cases), without impact on diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We demonstrated the feasibility and diagnostic value of iv ACT in follow-up imaging of intracranial flow diverting devices. Due to its high spatial resolution and non-invasive character, this novel technique might become a valuable imaging modality in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroradiology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. Marc.Saake@uk-erlangen.de
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saake
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Struffert
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Goelitz
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ott
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Seifert
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ganslandt
authors.forename: Arnd
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Doerfler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; C057937:iomeprol; D007479:Iopamidol