Pd. Griffiths et al., Brain arteriovenous malformations: Assessment with dynamic MR digital subtraction angiography, AM J NEUROR, 21(10), 2000, pp. 1892-1899
Citations number
42
Categorie Soggetti
Radiology ,Nuclear Medicine & Imaging","Neurosciences & Behavoir
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Conventional catheter angiography (CCA) is the curr
ent reference standard for the diagnosis, assessment, and management of pia
l brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), The purpose of this study was t
o develop an MR angiographic technique that produces dynamic images compara
ble to those provided by CCA and to apply the technique to the investigatio
n of pial brain AVMs,
METHODS: Twenty patients with brain AVMs referred for stereotactic radiosur
gery mere recruited, All patients had CCA performed on a 1.5-T superconduct
ing system, Sixty images were obtained at a rate of one image per second, S
lices were orientated to produce Towne, lateral, and anteroposterior projec
tions. A set of mask images was taken and then a series during the passage
of a bolus of contrast material. MR examinations were assessed independentl
y by neuroradiologists blinded to the conventional catheter angiographic fi
ndings,
RESULTS: The nidus of the AVMs was depicted in 19 of the 20 patients, and c
orrelation with CCA was excellent for measurements of maximum diameter. Ven
ous drainage was correctly assessed in 18 of 19 cases.
CONCLUSION: MR digital subtraction angiography shows promise as a noninvasi
ve, dynamic angiographic tool for planning stereotactic radiosurgery of AVM
s already delineated by catheter angiography, At present, it suffers from t
emporal and spatial resolution, which impede the assessment of some brain A
VMs.