Value of 16-slice CT angiography in diagnosis and treatment of cerebral aneurysms

Objective To assess the clinical value of 16-slice CT angiography (CTA) in diagnosis and treatment of cerebral aneurysms. Methods 382 patients were included in the study and successively underwent 16-slice CTA examination for suspected cere- bral aneurysms. Using maximum-intensity projections and volume-rendering techniques, two neuroradiologists performed the morphology, size and location of the aneurysms, neck geometry, and the relationship of aneurysms to bone structures and adjacent branch vessels. Sixteen-slice CTA images were used to determine whether the aneurysm was suitable for endovascular treatment or whether a surgical procedure was preferable. Results 223 cerebral aneurysms were identified in 203 of the 382 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 16-slice CTA in detecting all aneurysms were 97.8%, 97.8%, and 97.8, respectively, on a per-aneurysm basis. There was no statistically significant difference in accuracy between 16-slice CTA and DSA. 136 aneurysms were suitable for endovascular coiling by using the 16-slice CTA images, and 132 aneurysms were success- fully treated by endovascular coiling. Forty-eight aneurysms were suitable for surgical clipping, and all aneurysms were deemed completely occluded during surgical clipping. Conclusion Sixteen-slice CTA is a highly accurate imaging examination for the diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms, and it can provide sufficient diagnostic information in guiding the treatment of aneurysms.