[Detection of aneurysm in subarachnoid hemorrhage--CT angiography vs. digital subtraction angiography].

PURPOSE

The value of CT-angiography (CT-A) for the visualization of intracranial aneurysms was more closely defined by comparison with digital subtraction angiography (DSA).

METHODS

Over a period of 18 months a total of 106 patients in whom a subarachnoidal hemorrhage had been detected on native CT were examined in parallel by spiral CT and DSA. CT-angiography was performed under standardized parameters and included processing with 3D surface reconstructions.

RESULTS

In 64 patients (60.4%) a total of 72 aneurysms were detected. In four cases (6.2%) there were two and in two cases (3.1%) even three aneurysms. The findings of DSA and CTA agreed in 98 cases (92.5%). In four patients (3.8%) a false negative result was obtained in CTA and the initial DSA.

CONCLUSIONS

Digital subtraction angiography must still be considered as the gold standard in the diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms. On account of its excellent spatial delineation of aneurysms and possibilities for exact measurements, CT-angiography represents a valuable, supplementary method--in some cases also an alternative method--to digital subtraction angiography.