[Magnetic resonance in the evaluation of intracranial aneurysms]

Radiol Med. 1988 May;75(5):459-64.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

Eighteen patients affected by intra-cranial aneurysms, with size ranging from 3 to 30 mm, were studied by means of MRI, CT, and angiography. MRI was performed using Spin-Echo (SE) sequences with different Repetition Times (TR) and Echo Times (TE), which allowed the characterization of the lesions in relation to the relaxation times. MRI could identify all the aneurysms. In 13 subjects the parent vessels could be seen. In 5 patients the aneurysms could be recognized only after angiography, due to their dimension (less than 4 mm). The "flow effects" and the presence of methemoglobin and hemosiderin in the thrombosed portion of the lumen allowed both the detection of flow abnormalities and the characterization of laminate intra-aneurysmal thrombosis. In conclusion, MRI appears to be a sensitive methodology in the detection of intracranial aneurysms, even more sensitive than CT and Angiography in characterizing this kind of lesions.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carotid Artery Diseases / diagnosis
  • Carotid Artery Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Carotid Artery, Internal
  • Cerebral Angiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / diagnosis*
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed