Radiology, Vol 163, 431-435, Copyright © 1987 by Radiological Society of North America
Giant intracranial aneurysms: MR imaging
WL Olsen, M Brant-Zawadzki, J Hodes, D Norman and TH Newton
Fifteen patients with giant intracranial aneurysms were examined with
magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, computed tomography (CT), and angiography.
MR imaging revealed a rounded extraaxial mass with evidence of intraluminal
blood flow in 12 of the 15 cases. Signal void within the lumen was seen in
all 12 of these cases. Other flow effects, such as even-echo rephasing,
were seen in some cases. Complete thrombosis was seen in three giant
aneurysms in which high signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted images
filled the lumen, and no flow effects were seen. Partial thrombosis was
detected in four aneurysms as persistent areas of medium to high signal
intensity within the lumen on T1- and T2-weighted images. In five cases,
the cause of the intraluminal signal that was present was difficult to
determine. The ability of MR to indicate flow within the lumen in 12 of 15
cases provided for greater diagnostic confidence than with CT, which was
strongly suggestive of an extraaxial tumor in nine patients. Calcification
of the wall of the aneurysm was better detected with CT.
