Postoperative Evaluation of the Clipped Cerebral Aneurysms with Subtraction CT Angiography

Objective To evaluate the value in following up the patients with clipped aneurysms with the subtraction CT angiography technique.Methods 30 consecutive patients with clipped aneurysms were followed up with 64-slice spiral CT angiography (CTA) and DS angiography 10 d later postoperatively.CT images were reconstructed with volume rendering (VR) and maximum intensity projection(MIP) techniques to display the vessels.The site of the clip and patency of the parent vessel on both CT and DSA were studies independently by two radiologists.Results The clips in 27 patients were showed clearly by the subtraction CTA.Subtraction CTA demonstrated a partial remnant of aneurysm in 2,28 cases were complete occlusion.The loading vessels were free in passing in 28 cases,occlusion and narrowing of a parent vessel were seen in one respectively.The sensitivity and specificity in detecting neck remnants on MSCT angiography were 67% and 100%,and the sensitivity and specificity in evaluating vessel patency were 100% and 100%,Inter-observer agreements were 0.78 and 1.00,respectively.Conclusion Subtraction CT angiography can be used as the mainly method in following up the patients with clipped aneurysms.