EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL CT-ANGIOGRAPHY IN DETECTING AND CHARACTERIZING INTRACRANIAL BERRY ANEURYSMS

Abstract

Background: Intracranial berry aneurysms are a significant cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage and can lead to severe neurological deficits or death. Accurate and timely diagnosis is critical for effective management. While Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) remains the gold standard for detecting these aneurysms, advancements in imaging technology, particularly three-dimensional CT-angiography (3D CTA), may offer a non- invasive alternative with high diagnostic accuracy. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of 3D CTA in detecting and characterizing intracranial berry aneurysms, comparing its performance to established imaging modalities. Methodology: A retrospective review was conducted on patients diagnosed with intracranial aneurysms who underwent 3D CTA, DSA, or Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) in 2024. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 3D CTA were assessed, and aneurysm characteristics such as size and location were analyzed. Results: This observational study conducted over four months in the radiology department of Jinnah Hospital involved 35 patients suspected of having berry aneurysms, selected through nonprobability convenience sampling. The primary aim was to evaluate the efficacy of three-dimensional CT angiography (CTA) in detecting and characterizing these aneurysms. Among the participants, 21 were male (60%) and 14 were female (40%), indicating a higher prevalence of males undergoing CTA for this evaluation. Conclusion: Three-dimensional CT-angiography is a reliable and effective imaging modality for the detection and characterization of intracranial berry aneurysms, demonstrating diagnostic performance comparable to DSA. Its non-invasive nature and high-resolution imaging support its use as a first-line diagnostic tool in clinical practice, enhancing patient management and outcomes. Further prospective studies are recommended to solidify its role in routine evaluation of cerebral aneurysms.

Keywords:

Intracranial Aneurysms, Berry Aneurysms, Three-Dimensional Ct- Angiography, Dsa, Diagnostic Imaging, Non-Invasive Imaging, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Cerebrovascular Disease.