Can we evaluate cranial aneurysms on conventional brain magnetic resonance imaging?

Purpose: To evaluate the contribution of conventional brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the determination of intracranial aneurysms. Materials and Methods: Brain MRI and computed tomography angiography (CTA) of 45 patients (29 women and 16 men; age range, 32-80 years) with aneurysm were analyzed. A comparison was made between brain MRI and CTA based on size and presence of aneurysm. The comparisons between MRI and CTA were investigated through Bland-Altman graphics, receiver operating characteristic curve, and Kappa statistics. Results: Fifty-seven aneurysms were evaluated. Forty-five percent of 57 aneurysms on CTA were detected on conventional brain MRI. A significant correlation was found between CTA and brain MRI in the diagnosis of aneurysm (P<0.05). In an analysis of the size measurement, a significant correlation was observed between CTA and brain MRI. Seventy-seven percent of aneurysms < 4 mm was not detected and the efficiency of MRI in the detection of aneurysms < 4 mm was found to be low. Conclusion: Aneurysms can also be appreciated on conventional brain MRI, and vascular structures should be reviewed carefully while analyzing brain MRI.