64-section multidetector CT angiography for evaluation of intracranial aneurysms: comparison with 3D rotational angiography.
BACKGROUND
To assess the diagnostic performance of 64-section computed tomography angiography (CTA) for detection of cerebral aneurysms by comparison with the new gold standard three-dimensional (3D) digital subtraction angiography (DSA).


METHODS
A total of 128 patients who underwent both 64-section CTA and 3D DSA for suspected intracranial aneurysms were included. The location, size, and shape of the aneurysm were assessed and compared with 3D DSA results. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 64-section CTA were calculated by using 3D DSA as reference standard.


RESULTS
According to the reference standard, a total of 145 aneurysms were detected at 3D DSA in 118 patients. Of these 145 aneurysms, 64-section CTA detected 139 aneurysms in 118 patients. The sensitivity of CTA for detection of aneurysm was 95.8% on a per-aneurysm basis. All missed aneurysms were non-causative very small aneurysms in patients harboring multiple aneurysms. On a per-patient basis, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 100%.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with the new gold standard 3D DSA, 64-section CTA offers high sensitivity and specificity for detection of intracranial aneurysms. It could be readily used as a screening imaging method for detection of intracranial aneurysms.
Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, PR China.
Qi
Q
Li
Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, PR China.
Fajin
F
Lv
Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, PR China.
Guoen
G
Yao
Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, PR China.
Yongmei
Y
Li
Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, PR China peng_xie@yahoo.com.
Peng
P
Xie
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012399:Rotation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
CT angiography; intracranial aneurysm; rotational angiography