DETECTION OF INTRACRANIAL ANEURYSMS BY 3-DIMENSIONAL TIME-OF-FLIGHT MAGNETIC-RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHY

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability of magnet ic resonance angiography (MRA) for detection of intracranial aneurysms . Ninety-six consecutive patients who underwent both MRA using the thr ee-dimensional time-of-flight technique (3D TOF) with the rephase/deph ase subtraction method and conventional angiography were reviewed. MRA showed 22 aneurysms in 19 patients, and conventional angiography 28 a neurysms in 23 patients. The sensitivity of MRA was thus 79% for aneur ysms in 83% of patients. MRA showed no aneurysm in 67 of 73 patients w ithout aneurysms; its specificity was therefore 92%. The 6 false posit ive interpretations were suspected internal carotid artery aneurysms.