Non-invasive TOF MR angiographic follow up of coiled cerebral aneurysms

PurposeTo assess the usefulness of TOF MRA in evaluation of coil embolized cerebral aneurysms, detection of possible complications such as incomplete occlusion (residual aneurysm) and recurrence and peri-aneurysmal edema.Patients and methodsThis study included 23 patients with coil embolized cerebral aneurysm who underwent follow up by TOF MRA for 2 years. Findings were classified as complete occlusion, incomplete occlusion and recurrence. Recurrent and residual cases were correlated with neurosurgical assessment.ResultsSixteen patients (69.6%) had complete persistent occlusion, 4 patients (17.4%) had recurrent aneurysms and 3 patients (13%) had residual aneurysms. Among the 7 patients of residual/recurrent aneurysms: 5 were dome and 2 were neck shaped. All recurrent cases showed peri-aneurysmal edema in the initial after coil scan. Recurrent cases were significantly correlated with initial size (more than 6 mm) and presence of peri-aneurysmal edema.ConclusionMRA is a safe and accurate non-invasive follow-up imaging method that can be used for evaluation of cerebral aneurysms after embolization. It had the same accuracy of DSA. Three-dimensional TOF MRA clearly demonstrates residual/recurrent aneurysm neck and sac. MRA source images yields more information about cerebral infarction, bleeding and atrophy.