[Preliminary experience of 16-layer three-dimensional computed tomography in diagnosis and treatment of arteriovenous malformations].

PURPOSE: We assessed the value of 16-layer three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in diagnosis of the arteriovenous malformations (AVM). METHODS: 16 patients with AVM were examined by 16 layers CT scan and DSA. RESULTS: The DSA imaging provided excellent visualization in all of patients, including size, location, and feeding arterial of AVM. The value of the diagnosis of the nidus malformation vascular by 3D-CTA was similar to that by DSA, however, CTA was not good at diagnosis of the third feeding artery of AVM. The three-dimensional reconstruction also further revealed the relation of lesion and surrounding tissue which is helpful in making an appropriate decision before treatment. Differences in dates were compared using the t test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. CONCLUSION: 16-layer 3D-CTA was a superior approach for diagnosis and follow up of the AVM.