Purpose: In a clinical study 35 patients with intracranial aneurysms w
ere examined using CT-angiography, MR-angiography (MRA) and digital su
btraction angiography (DSA), The aim of the study was to establish the
ability of noninvasive techniques to detect intracranial aneurysms. M
aterial and methods: The CT examinations were performed using a spiral
CT scanner and the MR investigations with a 1.5 T whole body MR-syste
m. We used for MR-angiography Time of Flight (TOF) and Phase Contrast
(PC)techniques. For postprocessing reconstructions modalities Maximum
Intensity Projection (MIP), Surface and Volume Rendering Technique (VR
T) techniques were used. The results were evaluated by the intraoperat
ive findings. Results: Aneurysms up to 5 mm could be detected best usi
ng CIA and DSA. Giant aneurysms could be evaluated best using CTA. Vol
ume rendering technique was the most useful postprocessing procedure.
MRA using Time of Flight was superior compared with MRA using PC techn
ique. Conclusion: CTA is the best method to detect and to evaluate gia
nt intracranial aneurysms. Nevertheless the reconstruction mode has a
decisive influence on the results.