Detection of unruptured cerebral artery aneurysms by MRA at 3.0 tesla: comparison with multislice helical computed tomographic angiography

Abstract

Background: Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) has become the primary non-invasive method for detection of cerebral artery aneurysms in many neurovascular centers.

Purpose: To compare MR-angiography at a 3.0 tesla (3T) scanner to CTA in the detection of unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Material and methods: CTA and 3T MRA data from 60 patients were evaluated. CTA was obtained with a 4-16-row helical CT-scanner after administration of 120 cc intravenous contrast agent, MRA was performed by a 3T MR-scanner using time-of-flight pulse sequence.

Results: Fifty-five cerebral artery aneurysms were detected by MRA and 47 aneurysms by CTA. Most of the aneurysms detected by MRA but not by CTA were small internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms. Bone structures and venous enhancement deteriorated CTA accuracy, especially in skull base. In one patient a fairly large anterior communicating artery aneurysm was not visible in MRA due to spin saturation, although it was clearly visualized in CTA. After contrast injection the aneurysm was also seen in MRA. Although the overall image quality of MRA and CTA were comparable, MRA was more susceptible to artifacts and thus re-formatted surface-shaded volume rendered 3-dimensional images of aneurysms from MRA were inferior compared to those from CTA.

Conclusion: MRA at 3T appears to be at least as sensitive as CTA in the detection of unruptured cerebral artery aneurysms, however image quality control is crucial and contrast agent enhances visualization of complex and large aneurysms.