Limitations of three-dimensional reconstructed computerized tomography angiography after clip placement for intracranial aneurysms

2005 ◽  
Vol 103 (4) ◽  
pp. 656-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshiko Sagara ◽  
Hiro Kiyosue ◽  
Yuzo Hori ◽  
Michifumi Sainoo ◽  
Hirofumi Nagatomi ◽  
...  

Object. The authors compared the usefulness of three-dimensional (3D) reconstructed computerized tomography (CT) angiography with 3D digital subtraction (DS) angiography in assessing intracranial aneurysms after clip placement. A retrospective review of clinical cases was performed. Methods. Between May 2001 and May 2003, 17 patients with a total of 20 intracranial aneurysms underwent 3D CT and 3D DS angiography following clip placement. The authors assessed the presence or absence of residual aneurysm necks and stenoocclusive changes in the parent artery and the neighboring artery. The efficacy of CT angiographic visualization was also evaluated. In 12 of the 20 aneurysms, both 3D modalities similarly demonstrated the residual aneurysm neck and stenoocclusive changes in the parent artery and neighboring artery. Three-dimensional CT angiography failed to demonstrate three of the aneurysms, and the studies were not considered suitable for evaluation because of the presence of metallic artifacts. In the remaining five studies, the 3D CT angiograms did not effectively demonstrate the neighboring and parent arteries. The detectability of residual aneurysm necks was correlated with the clip material and with the number of clips applied. Conclusions. Three-dimensional DS angiography is still necessary in cases involving multiple clips or with cobalt alloy clips because the clips appear as metal artifacts on 3D CT angiography.

1999 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 424-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuo Murai ◽  
Ryo Takagi ◽  
Yukio Ikeda ◽  
Yasuhiro Yamamoto ◽  
Akira Teramoto

Object. The authors confirm the usefulness of extravasation detected on three-dimensional computerized tomography (3D-CT) angiography in the diagnosis of continued hemorrhage and establishment of its cause in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).Methods. Thirty-one patients with acute ICH in whom noncontrast and 3D-CT angiography had been performed within 12 hours of the onset of hemorrhage and in whom conventional cerebral angiographic studies were obtained during the chronic stage were prospectively studied. Noncontrast CT scanning was repeated within 24 hours of the onset of ICH to evaluate hematoma enlargement.Findings indicating extravasation on 3D-CT angiography, including any abnormal area of high density on helical CT scanning, were observed in five patients; three of these demonstrated hematoma enlargement on follow-up CT studies. Thus, specificity was 60% (three correct predictions among five positives) and sensitivity was 100% (19 correct predictions among 19 negatives). Evidence of extravasation on 3D-CT angiography indicates that there is persistent hemorrhage and correlates with enlargement of the hematoma.Regarding the cause of hemorrhage, five cerebral aneurysms were visualized in four patients, and two diagnoses of moyamoya disease and one of unilateral moyamoya phenomenon were made with the aid of 3D-CT angiography. Emergency surgery was performed without conventional angiography in one patient who had an aneurysm, and it was clipped successfully.Conclusions. Overall, 3D-CT angiography was found to be valuable in the diagnosis of the cause of hemorrhage and in the detection of persistent hemorrhage in patients with acute ICH.


2001 ◽  
Vol 94 (5) ◽  
pp. 718-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masato Matsumoto ◽  
Masanori Sato ◽  
Masayuki Nakano ◽  
Yuji Endo ◽  
Youichi Watanabe ◽  
...  

Object. The aim of this study was to assess whether aneurysm surgery can be performed in patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms by using three-dimensional computerized tomography (3D-CT) angiography alone, without conventional catheter angiography. Methods. In a previous study, 60 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from ruptured aneurysms were prospectively evaluated using both 3D-CT and conventional angiography, which resulted in a 100% accuracy for 3D-CT angiography in the diagnosis of ruptured aneurysms, and a 96% accuracy in the identification of associated unruptured aneurysms. The results led the authors to consider replacing conventional angiography with 3D-CT angiography for use in diagnosing ruptured aneurysms, and to perform surgery aided by 3D-CT angiography alone without conventional angiography. Based on the results, 100 consecutive patients with SAH who had undergone surgery in the acute stage based on 3D-CT angiography findings have been studied since December 1996. One hundred ruptured aneurysms, including 41 associated unruptured lesions, were detected using 3D-CT angiography. In seven of 100 ruptured aneurysms, which included four dissecting vertebral artery aneurysms, two basilar artery (BA) tip aneurysms, and one BA—superior cerebellar artery aneurysm, 3D-CT angiography was followed by conventional angiography to acquire diagnostic confirmation or information about the vein of Labbé, which was needed to guide the surgical approach for BA tip aneurysms. All of the ruptured aneurysms were confirmed at surgery and treated successfully. Ninety-three patients who underwent operation with the aid of 3D-CT angiography only had no complications related to the lack of information gathered by conventional angiography. The 3D-CT angiography studies provided the authors with the aneurysm location as well as surgically important information on the configuration of its sac and neck, the presence of calcification in the aneurysm wall, and its relationship to the adjacent vessels and bone structures. Conclusions The authors believe that 3D-CT angiography can replace conventional angiography in the diagnosis of ruptured aneurysms and that surgery can be performed in almost all acutely ruptured aneurysms by using only 3D-CT angiography without conventional angiography.


2001 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 533-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshihisa Murayama ◽  
Kazuhide Sakurama ◽  
Koichi Satoh ◽  
Shinji Nagahiro

✓ The carotid artery (CA) dural ring is an important structure in aneurysm surgery of the paraclinoid region. The authors used three-dimensional computerized tomography (3D-CT) angiography to study the CA dural ring. Three-dimensional computerized tomography angiography was performed in patients with cerebral aneurysms and other cerebrovascular diseases. The paraclinoid segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) was examined by the shaded surface reconstruction method on targeted 3D-CT angiography. The concavity was recognized in the paraclinoid segment of the ICA. The relationship between the concavity and the dural ring was investigated with anatomical studies and surgical findings. In anatomical studies, the concavity in the paraclinoid segment of the ICA on 3D-CT angiography coincided with the level of attachment of the dural ring. Using 3D-CT angiography, it is possible to identify the location of the dural ring in patients being considered for aneurysm surgery.


2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 254-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Pablo Villablanca ◽  
Neil Martin ◽  
Reza Jahan ◽  
Y. Pierre Gobin ◽  
John Frazee ◽  
...  

Object. The goal of this study was to evaluate the utility of volume-rendered helical computerized tomography (CT) angiography in patients with intracranial aneurysms. The authors compared the abilities of CT angiography, digital subtraction (DS) angiography, and three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance (MR) angiography to characterize aneurysms.Methods. Helical CT angiography was performed in 45 patients with suspected intracranial aneurysms by using volume-rendered multiplanar reformatted (MPR) images. Digital subtraction angiography was performed using biplane angiography. These studies and those performed using MR angiography were interpreted in a blinded manner. Two neurosurgeons and two interventional neuroradiologists independently graded the utility of CT angiography with respect to aneurysm characterization.Fifty-five aneurysms were detected. Of these, 48 were evaluated for treatment. Computerized tomography angiography was judged to be superior to both DS and MR angiography in the evaluation of the arterial branching pattern at the aneurysm neck (compared with DS angiography, p = 0.001, and with MR angiography, p = 0.007), aneurysm neck geometry (compared with DS angiography, p = 0.001, and with MR angiography, p = 0.001), arterial branch incorporation (compared with DS angiography, p = 0.021, and with MR angiography, p = 0.001), mural thrombus (compared with DS angiography, p < 0.001), and mural calcification (compared with DS angiography, p < 0.001, and with MR angiography, p < 0.001). For surgical cases, CT angiography had a significant impact on treatment path (p = 0.001), operative approach (p = 0.001), and preoperative clip selection (p < 0.001). For endovascular cases, CT angiography had an impact on treatment path (p < 0.02), DS angiography study time (p = 0.01), contrast agent usage (p = 0.01), and coil selection (p = 0.02). Computerized tomography angiography provided unique information about 39 (81%) of 48 aneurysms, especially when compared with DS angiography (p = 0.003). The sensitivity and specificity of CT angiography compared with DS angiography was 1. The sensitivity and specificity of CT and DS angiography studies compared with operative findings were 0.98 and 1, respectively.Conclusions. Computerized tomography angiography is equal to DS angiography in the detection and superior to DS angiography and MR angiography in the characterization of brain aneurysms. Information contained in volume-rendered CT angiography images had a significant impact on case management.


1999 ◽  
Vol 91 (5) ◽  
pp. 761-767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgitta K. Velthuis ◽  
Maarten S. van Leeuwen ◽  
Theodoor D. Witkamp ◽  
Lino M. P. Ramos ◽  
Jan Willem Berkelbach van der Sprenkel ◽  
...  

Object. The purpose of this study was to determine prospectively whether and to what extent computerized tomography (CT) angiography can serve as the sole imaging method for a preoperative workup in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms.Methods. During a 1-year period, all patients who presented to the authors' hospital with subarachnoid hemorrhage demonstrated by unenhanced CT scanning or lumbar puncture underwent CT angiography. Two radiologists evaluated the CT angiography source images and maximum intensity projection slabs and arrived at a consensus. They categorized the quality of the CT angiography as adequate or inadequate and classified aneurysms that were detected as definitely or possibly present. The parent artery of anterior communicating artery aneurysms was identified by asymmetrical anterior cerebral artery size and asymmetrical aneurysm location. The parent artery was indicated by the larger A1 segment in cases of asymmetrical A1 size. Only CT angiograms of adequate quality that revealed aneurysms classified as definitely present and with an unequivocal parent artery were presented to the neurosurgeons, who decided whether preoperative digital subtraction (DS) angiography should still be performed.Forty-nine of the 100 studied patients did not undergo surgery because of poor clinical condition, nonaneurysmal cause of the hemorrhage, or endovascular treatment of the ruptured aneurysm. Of the 51 patients who underwent surgery, radiologists required DS angiography in 17 patients; the imaging technique provided greater certainty in 13 instances. The neurosurgeons required DS angiography 11 times; this provided additional information in two instances. Twenty-three (45%) of the 51 patients were surgically treated successfully on the basis of CT angiography findings alone.Conclusions. Computerized tomography angiography can replace DS angiography as the preoperative neuroimaging technique in a substantial proportion of patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms.


1996 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 1050-1055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe P. Maeder ◽  
Reto A. Meuli ◽  
Nicolas de Tribolet

✓ This study was undertaken to evaluate the capacity of three-dimensional (3-D) time-of-flight (TOF) magnetic resonance (MR) angiography with VoxelView (VV) 3-D volume rendering to detect and characterize intracranial aneurysms and to compare this rendering technique with that of maximum intensity projection (MIP). Forty patients with a total of 53 intracranial aneurysms (10 giant and subgiant, 43 saccular) were consecutively admitted to University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland, and investigated with 3-D TOF MR angiography. Source images of the 43 saccular aneurysms were processed with both MIP and VV. The aneurysm detection rate of the two techniques and their ability to characterize features of an aneurysm, such as its neck and its relation to the parent vessel, were compared. Intraarterial digital subtraction angiography was used as the gold standard to which these techniques could be compared and evaluated. Four aneurysms, less than 3 mm in size, were missed using MIP compared to three missed using VV. The representation of aneurysmal morphology using VV was superior to that found using conventional angiography in nine cases, equal in 16 cases, and inferior in seven cases. The representation of the aneurysm neck using VV was superior to MIP in 21 cases, equal in 17 cases, and inferior in one case; it was superior to that shown using conventional angiography in 10 cases, equal in 18 cases, and inferior in four cases. Time-of-flight MR angiography in conjunction with both MIP and VV 3-D reconstruction was able to visualize all aneurysms that were larger than 3 mm. Compared to MIP, VV provides a better definition of the aneurysm neck and the morphology of saccular aneurysms, making VV valuable for use in a preoperative diagnostic workup.


1989 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 512-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randall T. Higashida ◽  
Van V. Halbach ◽  
Leslie D. Cahan ◽  
Grant B. Hieshima ◽  
Yoshifumi Konishi

✓ Treatment of complex and surgically difficult intracranial aneurysms of the posterior circulation is now being performed with intravascular detachable balloon embolization techniques. The procedure is carried out under local anesthesia from a transfemoral arterial approach, which allows continuous neurological monitoring. Under fluoroscopic guidance, the balloon is propelled by blood flow through the intracranial circulation and, in most cases, can be guided directly into the aneurysm, thus preserving the parent vessel. If an aneurysm neck is not present, test occlusion of the parent vessel is performed and, if tolerated, the balloon is detached. Twenty-six aneurysms in 25 patients have been treated by this technique. The aneurysms have involved the distal vertebral artery (five cases), the mid-basilar artery (six cases), the distal basilar artery (11 cases), and the posterior cerebral artery (four cases). The aneurysms varied in size and included three small (< 12 mm), 15 large (12 to 25 mm), and eight giant (> 25 mm). Fifteen patients (60%) presented with hemorrhage and 10 patients (40%) with mass effect. In 17 cases (65%) direct balloon embolization of the aneurysm was achieved with preservation of the parent artery. In nine cases (35%), because of aneurysm location and size, occlusion of the parent vessel was performed. Complications from therapy included three cases of transient cerebral ischemia which resolved, three cases of stroke, and five deaths due to immediate or delayed aneurysm rupture. The follow-up period has ranged from 2 months to 43 months (mean 22.5 months). In cases where posterior circulation aneurysms have been difficult to treat by conventional neurosurgical techniques, intravascular detachable balloon embolization may offer an alternative therapeutic option.


2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 1322-1332 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Pablo Villablanca ◽  
Parizad Hooshi ◽  
Neil Martin ◽  
Reza Jahan ◽  
Gary Duckwiler ◽  
...  

Object. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms can be difficult to detect and characterize. The authors describe the utility and impact of helical computerized tomography (CT) angiography for the evaluation of aneurysms in this location, and compare this modality with digital subtraction (DS) angiography and intraoperative findings. Methods. Two hundred fifty-one patients with suspected cerebral aneurysms underwent CT angiography. Two-dimensional multiplanar reformatted images and three-dimensional CT angiograms were examined by two independent readers in a blinded fashion. Results were compared with findings on DS angiograms to determine the relative efficacy of these modalities in the detection and characterization of aneurysms. Questionnaires completed by neurosurgeons and endovascular therapists were used to determine the impact of CT angiograms on aneurysm management. Twenty-eight patients harboring 31 MCA aneurysms and 26 patients without aneurysms were identified using CT angiography. The sensitivity of CT angiography and DS angiography for MCA aneurysms was 97%; both techniques showed 100% specificity. In 76% of evaluations, the CT angiography studies provided information not available on DS angiography examinations. For the characterization of aneurysms, CT angiography was rated superior (72%) or equal (20%) to DS angiography in 92% of cases evaluated (p < 0.001). Computerized tomography angiography was evaluated as the only study needed for patient triage in 82% of cases (p < 0.001), and as the only study needed for treatment planning in 89% of surgically treated (p < 0.001) and in 63% of endovascularly treated cases (p < 0.001). The information acquired on CT angiograms changed the initial treatment plan in 24 (67%) of these 36 complex lesions (p < 0.01). The aneurysm appearance intraoperatively was identical or nearly identical to that seen on CT angiograms in 17 (89%) of 19 of the surgically treated cases. Conclusions. Computerized tomography angiography has unique advantages over DS angiography and is a viable alternative to the latter modality in the diagnosis, triage, and treatment planning in patients with MCA aneurysms.


2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 828-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max Wintermark ◽  
Antoine Uske ◽  
Marc Chalaron ◽  
Luca Regli ◽  
Philippe Maeder ◽  
...  

Object. The goal of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of computerized tomography (CT) angiography performed with the aid of multislice technology (MSCT angiography) in the investigation of intracranial aneurysms, by comparing this method with intraarterial digital subtraction (IADS) angiography. Methods. Fifty consecutive adult patients, who successively underwent MSCT angiography (four rows) and IADS angiography of intracranial vessels, were prospectively identified. The MSCT angiography studies consisted of 1.25-mm slices, with 0.8-mm reconstruction intervals, a pitch of 0.75, and timing determined by a test bolus. Two neuroradiologists, who were blinded to the initial interpretation of the MSCT angiograms as well as to those of the IADS angiograms, independently reviewed the MSCT angiograms for the detection and characterization of intracranial aneurysms. Forty-nine intracranial aneurysms were identified in 40 patients; 33 of these lesions were responsible for subarachnoid hemorrhage. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MSCT angiography in the detection of intracranial aneurysms were 94.8, 95.2, and 94.9%, respectively, on a per-aneurysm basis and 99, 95.2, and 98.3%, respectively, on a per-patient basis. Interobserver agreement was 98%. There was an excellent correlation between aneurysm size assessed using MSCT angiography and that determined by IADS angiography (slope = 0.916, r = 0.877, p < 0.001); however, 2 mm stood as the cutoff size below which the sensitivity of MSCT angiography was statistically lower. That method displayed great accuracy in characterizing the morphological characteristics of the aneurysm. Conclusions. Multislice CT angiography is an accurate and robust noninvasive screening test for intracranial aneurysms. It performs better than that reported for single-slice CT angiography. Introduction of eight- and especially 16-row MSCT angiography will provide further progression through thinner slices, a lower pitch, and a purely arterial phase.


1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. 37-40
Author(s):  
M. Bundo ◽  
M. Negoro ◽  
K. Fukasaku ◽  
S. Miyachi ◽  
J. Yoshida

To prevent coil protrusion into the parent artery, the fluoroscopic view during coil packing is quite important. However it is not always easy to find out the optimal fluoroscopic view. We applied a rotation DSA to predict the optimal fluoroscopic view for the endovascular treatment of 4 cases with a cerebral aneurysm. Since the trajectory of the C-arm is restricted within 60 degrees only around the patient's head and the number of DSA shots are limited rather than conventional DSA, we employed three dimensional CT angiography (3D-CT angiography) to focus the range of C-arm rotation. Rotation DSA proved quite useful to determine the optimal fluoroscopic view, when combined with pre-estimation by 3D-CT angiography.


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