Diagnostic Accuracy of Three-dimensional CT Angiography in Intracranial Aneurysms

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of three-dimensional CT angiography(CTA) in the diagnosis of intracranialaneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3D-CTA was performed in 46 consecutive patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage orsuspected intracranial aneurysm. Images were obtained using a helical CT scanner and the SSD techinque. 3D CTAfindings were reviewed retrospectively and independently in blind fashion by two neuroradiologists. Digitalsubtraction angiography(DSA) was used as the reference standard. RESULTS: DSA revealed, in 36 patients, 40aneurysms ranging from 2mm to 12mm in maximal diameter, and negative findings in 10 patients. For observer 1, theaccuracy of 3D-CTA for all aneurysms and all patients was 85.2% and 82.7%, respectively. For observer 2, therespective figures were 94.6% and 91.9%. The agreement rates between the two observers were 86% for all aneurysmsand 87% for all patients (Kappa value 0.58, 0.59). CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional CTA is a useful imagingtechnique for the diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms, with an accuracy of over 85%