A comparison of the values of DSA, CTA, and MRA in diagnosing cerebral aneurysms

Objective To explore the value of digital substraction angiography ( DSA ),computerized tomography angiography ( CTA ),and magnetic resonance angiography ( MRA ) in the diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms.Methods 37 with subarachnoid hemorrhage ( SAH ) or suspected SAH due to related manifestations and related manifestation that mostly suspected to be SAH,23 males and 14 females,were included in this study.DSA,CTA,and MRA were performed and the findings were compared with the outcomes of interventional therapy or surgery.All the images were separately analyzed by two radiologists.Results Forty-five aneurysms were found,five of which were multiple aneurysms,and one anterior communicating artery aneurysm 2 mm in diameter was not detectable by the three methods.44aneurysms were determined by DSA,40 by CTA,and 5 were missed; 37 aneurysms were detectable by MRA,8 were missed,and one was false positive.Conclusions CTA and MRA are similar to DSA in the sensitivity and accuracy of detecting cerebral aneurysms.They are non-invasive and can be used as the first choice of procedure for cerebral aneurysms. Key words: Cerebral aneurysm;  Cerebral angiography;  Tomography, X-ray computed;  Magnetic resonance angiography