The comparative study on diagnostic validity of cerebral aneurysm by computed tomography angiography versus digital subtraction angiography after subarachnoid hemorrhage*

BACKGROUND: In order to declare the preoperative diagnostic value of brain aneurysms, two radiological modalities, computed tomographic angiography and digital subtraction angiography were compared. METHODS: In this descriptive analytic study, diagnostic value of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) was compared with digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated and compared between the two modalities. All data were analyzed with SPSS software, version 16. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 49.5 ± 9.13 years. 57.9 % of subjects were female. CTA showed 89% sensitivity and 100% specificity whereas DSA demonstrated 74% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Positive predictive value of both methods was 100%, but negative predictive value of CTA and DSA was 85% and 69%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our data, CTA is a valuable diagnostic modality for detection of brain aneurysm and subarachnoid hemorrhage.