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

Abstract Background Sixteen-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. Methods A 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. Results Sixteen-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. Conclusion Sixteen-slice CTA is a useful reference for patients undergoing surgical clipping of aneurysms and can provide much effective information to clipped aneurysms.