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Clinical Neuroradiology
Published in: Clinical Neuroradiology 4/2014

01-12-2014 | Original Article

A Comparison of CT/CT Angiography and MRI/MR Angiography for Imaging of Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia

Authors: A. Förster, MD, J. Ssozi, MD, M. Al-Zghloul, MD, M. A. Brockmann, MD, H. U. Kerl, MD, C. Groden, MD

Published in: Clinical Neuroradiology | Issue 4/2014

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Abstract

Purpose

Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is a rare dilatative arteriopathy predominantly affecting the basilar artery (BA) and vertebral arteries. Until today, the value of computed tomography (CT)/CT angiography (CTA) compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/time-of-flight MR angiography (TOF-MRA) has not been studied systematically.

Methods

We (1) compare CTA and TOF-MRA according to the established criteria (diameter at the mid-pons level, height, and lateral position), (2) explore the value of further CTA- and TOF-MRA-derived measures (maximum transverse diameter and length), as well as (3) explore the value of further non-contrast-enhanced MRI sequences such as T1, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, and T2* for a detailed characterization of VBD in a series of 18 patients.

Results

Comparison of CTA and TOF-MRA revealed very good consistency of the measured diameter (Pearson’s r  = 0.994, p = 0.01) and the noted height of the BA (Kendall’s tau = 1.0, p  = 0.001). The same held true for the maximum transverse diameter (Pearson’s r = 0.988, p = 0.01) and length of the BA (Pearson’s r = 0.986, p = 0.01). In contrast to this, there was a lower agreement concerning the lateral position (Kendall’s tau = 0.866, p = 0.01). In comparison with the diameter at the mid-pons level, the maximum transverse diameter was significantly larger (p = 0.002). Luminal thrombus was detected equally well by CTA and TOF-MRA. CT was useful to detect small circumscribed calcifications, whereas MRI was advantageous to demonstrate perifocal brainstem edema.

Conclusions

We could demonstrate a substantial comparability of CT/CTA and MRI/TOF-MRA in the diagnosis of VBD. The maximum transverse diameter and length may be useful when an endovascular treatment is considered. Taking into account the different informative value of both techniques, it may be worth to perform both imaging procedures.
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Metadata
Title
A Comparison of CT/CT Angiography and MRI/MR Angiography for Imaging of Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia
Authors
A. Förster, MD
J. Ssozi, MD
M. Al-Zghloul, MD
M. A. Brockmann, MD
H. U. Kerl, MD
C. Groden, MD
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Clinical Neuroradiology / Issue 4/2014
Print ISSN: 1869-1439
Electronic ISSN: 1869-1447
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00062-013-0261-7

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