The clinical value of multi-slice CT angiography and three dimensional technique in the diagnosis of intracranial aneurysm

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of CT angiography(CTA) in the diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms.Methods Two hundred fifteen patients with intracranial aneurysms confirmed by digital subtraction angiography(DSA) or surgery were included in this study.DSA,CTA and reconstruction of maximum intensity projection(MIP),multiplanar reconstruction(MPR),volume rendering technique(VRT),shaded surface display(SSD) were executed in all cases.Surgery was performed in 207 cases.The results of CTA were compared with DSA and surgical findings.Results Two hundred and thirty-eight aneurysms in 215 cases were confirmed by DSA and surgery.Of 238 aneurysms,230 in 206 cases were correctly diagnosed by CTA,8 missed in 8 cases,and 1 misdiagnosed in one case.230,230,221 and 219 aneurysms were demonstrated by MIP,MPR,VRT and SSD,respectively.Three aneurysms were missed by DSA examination according to operation results.Compared with DSA,the sensitivity and positive predictive value of CTA were 96.6% and 99.6% respectively.There was no statistics difference between CTA and DSA in the diagnosis of intracranial aneurysm.Conclusion CTA is a highly accurate imaging examination for the diagnosis of the location,size and characterization of intracranial aneurysms and it can provide sufficient diagnostic information in guiding the treatment of aneurysms.