3-Dimensional Computed Tomography Angiography in Early Operation for Poor Grade Aneurysms

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The authors studied the feasibility of 3-Dimensional computed tomographic angiography(3-D CTA) in early surgery for poor grade patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH), therefore intended to verify the eligibility of this diagnostic tool in these special clinical settings. METHODS: During the period between July 1997 and December 2000, we studied 31 patients diagnosed as aneurysmal SAH that were classified as the Hunt-Hess grade IV or V and Fisher group III or IV. As the conventional angiography could not be conducted because of the patients' poor clinical conditions, we carried out early surgery on the same day of SAH solely based on the 3-D CTA. We compared the 3-D CTA features with intraoperative findings. RESULTS: Total of 33 aneurysms were found in preoperative 3-D CTA and, of them, all 31 ruptured aneurysms and additional another two unruptured ones were also. Undetected three aneurysms were found in the operative field(2 cases) and postoperative digital subtraction angiography(1 case). The sensitivity of 3-D CTA was 94.7% and specificity was 100%. CONCLUSION: According to our results, 3-D CTA might be sufficient for early surgery of intracranial aneurysms in poor grade SAH patients in urgent conditions.