SPIRAL CT ANGIOGRAPHY FOR DEMONSTRATING C EREBRAL ANEURYSMS BEFORE AND AFTER TREATMENT WITH TITANIUM CLIPS

Purpose: To determine the suitability of spiral CT angiography (SCTA) in patients with intracerebral titanium aneurysm clips. Material and M ethod: The section parameters were optimised using a phantom. 16 patie nts were examined preoperatively and 18 following treatment of aneurys ms with clips. Results: The resolution, sensitivity and specificity fo r demonstrating cerebral aneurysms measuring greater than or equal to 3 mm was 91.3% and 75% respectively. In 15 patients with intracerebral clips there were no or only minor artefacts; three examinations were of no value because of major metal artefacts. Amongst six aneurysms de monstrated angiographically, two, which measured more than 3 mm, could be shown by SCTA. Conclusion: SCTA was able to demonstrate intracereb ral aneurysms measuring greater than or equal to 3 mm. Titanium clips did not usually affect image quality significantly.