3-DIMENSIONAL DISPLAY OF THE ORIFICE OF INTRACRANIAL ANEURYSMS - A NEW POTENTIAL APPLICATION FOR MAGNETIC-RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHY

Our aim was to demonstrate the orifice of intracranial aneurysms by ma gnetic resonance angiography (MRA). The aneurysmal orifice is that par t of its lumen that communicates with the parent vessel. We studied 12 patients with 17 intracranial aneurysms using three-dimensional displ ay (3DD) MRA; 15 of the aneurysms had previously been shown by digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The overall image quality of 3DD MRA w as excellent in 10 patients. The orifice was clearly demonstrated in 1 3 aneurysms (76 %) providing unique information about its size, shape and orientation. The orifice of 2 aneurysms (12 %) was not demonstrate d. Two aneurysms (12 %) were not detected on MRA. Although 3DD MRA has limitations, this study suggests that it can accurately define the or ifice of aneurysms and could be used to provide information crucial fo r endovascular treatment.