Diagnostic accuracy of contrast enhancement MRI versus CTA in diagnosis of intracranial aneurysm in patients with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage

Aim of the studyThe most common cause of spontaneous SAH is the rupture of cerebral aneurysm. So it is very important to exclude it from circulation as soon as possible using endovascular therapy. The aim was to determine whether contrast enhancement magnetic resonance angiography (CEMRA) is preferable to computed tomography angiography (CTA) in detection of intracranial aneurysm in patients presenting with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).Patients and methodsTwenty-five patients who presented with non-traumatic SAH underwent CEMRA and CTA for detection of aneurysms. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was used as standard of reference.ResultsCEMRA and CTA were done for all patients. A total of 22 aneurysms were detected in 25 patients. 15 patients with single aneurysm, 2 patients with two aneurysms, one patient with 3 aneurysms and in 7 patients no aneurysm was found. CEMRA and CTA angiograms were interpreted for the detection of aneurysms, site and size.ConclusionThe diagnostic performance of CEMRA does not significantly differ from that of CTA in patients presenting with SAH.