Preliminary evaluation of volume-rendered three-dimensional display of time-of-flight MR angiography in the diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms

We assessed the value of the volume-rendering method of displaying images o f three-dimensional (3D) time-of-flight MR angiography (MRA) in the diagnos is of intracranial aneurysms. We obtained three-dimensional volume-rendered MRA from 21 patients with intracranial aneurysms. The images were evaluate d in comparison with maximum-intensity-projection images (in 21 patients), conventional angiograms (in 21) and CT angiography (in nine). In 17 patient s, 3D volume-rendered images were thought to show morphological features mo st clearly. They were superior to the other methods for demonstrating the p recise location of the aneurysm in three patients and in showing the shape of the bleb in another three. 3D volume-rendered MRA can be effectively add ed to conventional imaging techniques for diagnosis of intracranial aneurys ms.