OBJECTIVE: Does the recently introduced 3D angiography provide additional information beyond standard angiography (DSA) for the diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms? METHODS: During a 3-months period DSA and 3D-angiography were performed in 40 patients harbouring a total of 49 aneurysms. Vascular regions that presented an aneurysm diagnosed by DSA were reevaluated by 3D-angiography. RESULTS: In two patients, vessel-loops previously described as aneurysms by DSA could be identified by 3D-angiography. In one patient, an aneurysm was diagnosed that could not be detected by DSA. In another case, the definitive diagnosis of an aneurysm was obtained only with 3D-angiography. In one patient, an aneurysm was diagnosed that could not be detected by DSA. In another case, the diagnosis of an aneurysm was obtained only with 3D-angiography. In two cases, aneurysms could be definitively excluded by 3D-angiography, whereas in another aneurysm a vessel originating from this lesion was identified. The size of the aneurysms measured by both methods was identical. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple projections of 3D-angiography provide a better evaluation of the anatomic situation regarding the base of the aneurysm as well as the relationship of an aneurysm to neighbouring vessels. Further, an exact differentiation between a vessel loop and an aneurysm can be made. Therefore, 3D-angiography is a valuable tool when used in conjunction with DSA.
OBJECTIVE: Does the recently introduced 3D angiography provide additional information beyond standard angiography (DSA) for the diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms? METHODS: During a 3-months period DSA and 3D-angiography were performed in 40 patients harbouring a total of 49 aneurysms. Vascular regions that presented an aneurysm diagnosed by DSA were reevaluated by 3D-angiography. RESULTS: In two patients, vessel-loops previously described as aneurysms by DSA could be identified by 3D-angiography. In one patient, an aneurysm was diagnosed that could not be detected by DSA. In another case, the definitive diagnosis of an aneurysm was obtained only with 3D-angiography. In one patient, an aneurysm was diagnosed that could not be detected by DSA. In another case, the diagnosis of an aneurysm was obtained only with 3D-angiography. In two cases, aneurysms could be definitively excluded by 3D-angiography, whereas in another aneurysm a vessel originating from this lesion was identified. The size of the aneurysms measured by both methods was identical. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple projections of 3D-angiography provide a better evaluation of the anatomic situation regarding the base of the aneurysm as well as the relationship of an aneurysm to neighbouring vessels. Further, an exact differentiation between a vessel loop and an aneurysm can be made. Therefore, 3D-angiography is a valuable tool when used in conjunction with DSA.