Clinical application of 16-row multislice computed tomographic angiography in the preoperative and postoperative evaluation of intracranial aneurysms for surgical clipping

BackgroundSixteen-row multislice CTA has great potential for use in the studies of intracranial aneurysms. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical application of 16-row multislice CTA in the preoperative and postoperative evaluation of intracranial aneurysms for surgical clipping.MethodsA total of 42 patients (45 aneurysms) underwent surgery using titanium clips. The CTA was performed with a 16-row multislice CT machine; detector slice, 0.75 mm; reconstruction interval, 0.40 mm; and timing determined by bolus trigger. The neuroradiologist independently evaluated the shape, size, and location of aneurysms; the relationship to other structures; and the presence of neck remnants and patency of the parent artery after clipping on MIP images, VR imaging, and thin-slab MIP and VR images.ResultsSixteen-slice CTA clearly provided the shape and location of aneurysms, the size of the sac and the neck, and the relationship of aneurysms to bone structures and adjacent branch vessels; and this information would help the neurosurgeons find aneurysms and clip them successfully. Three clipped aneurysms with neck remnants were identified by the 16-slice CTA, and the parent artery could be reliably evaluated close to the clip.ConclusionSixteen-slice CTA is a useful reference for patients undergoing surgical clipping of aneurysms and can provide much effective information to clipped aneurysms.