Three-dimensional electron beam CT angiography in the diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms

Objective To assess the accuracy of three-dimensional electron beam CT angiography (3D-EBCTA) in the detection of intracranial aneurysms. Methods 31 patients with suspected cerebral aneurysms (including 3 post-operative patients) were examined by 3D-EBCTA. Those receiving angiography or surgery acted as controls. Maximum intensity projection (MIP) and shaded surface display (SSD) reconstruction ways were selected. Results 24 aneurysms were found in 23 patients. Of the 31 patients, false positive was noted in 1 patient, and false negative in 2 on 3D-EBCTA. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value anal negative predictive value were 92.0%, 88.9%, 91.2%, 95.8% and 80.0% respectively. Conclusion 3D-EBCTA is an noninvasive, rapid, valuable method in diagnosis and screening of patients with suspected aneurysms. The reconstruction modes such as MIP and SSD should be used together to optimise the visualization.