Early diagnosis of intracranial aneurysm using 64-slice spiral CT angiography: a clinical analysis

Objective To assess the clinical value of CT angiography (CTA) in early diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms. Methods Forty-two patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage suspected to arise from intracranial aneurysms underwent 64-slice spiral CTA followed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Chi-square test was employed to analyze the differences between the results by CTA and DSA. Results CTA confirmed the diagnosis of intracranial anenrysms (2-26 in diameter) in 39 patients, with suspected aneurysm in 1 patient and negative result in another. DSA identified intracranial anenrysms in 41 patients and showed negative result in 1 patient. The aneurysm detection rate showed no significant difference between CTA and DSA (X =0.263,P=0.608). Conclusion CTA can accurately diagnose aneurysm with diameter no less than 2 mm. Key words: CT ungiography; Digital subtraction angiography; Aneurysms; Subarachnoid hemorrhage