ABSTRACT
Purpose To explore the value of 64-slice spiral CT digital subtraction angiography in diagnosis of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM).Materials and Methods 26 patients with AVM were performed with plain CT scan, enhanced arterial phase and venous phase CT scan on a 64-slice spiral CT scanner. The subtracted arterial phase data was obtained through subtracting the plain CT images from arterial phase images, then the subtracted venous phase data was obtained through subtracting arterial phase images from venous phase images, and subtracted mixed arterial-venous phase data through subtracting plain CT images from venous phase images. Then volume rendering (VR) and maximum intensity projection (MIP) were used to reconstruct the cerebral vessel images. Results The inference of cranial bones was completely removed in all subtracted cerebral vessel images, thus clearly demonstrating malformed vascular nest, feeding arteries and draining veins. And 7 malformed temporal vascular nests, 5 parietal vascular nests, 5 frontal vascular nests, 6 occipital vascular nests and 3 cerebellar vascular nests were revealed;39 feeding arteries were detected altogether. Single feeding artery was found in 15 cases, and multiple feeding arteries in 9 cases. Meanwhile 33 draining veins were observed, and single draining vein was found in 10 cases, multiple veins in 16 cases.Conclusion 64-slice subtraction angiography can remove the inference of cranial bones and clearly demonstrate the feeding arteries, malformed vascular nests, draining veins, potentially providing a reliable evidence for therapeutic planning and postoperative follow-up.