Radiological measurements of dimensions of acutely ruptured internal carotid artery aneurysm: a comparative study between computed tomographic angiography and digital subtraction angiography

After aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, most center practices treatment modality selection based on size and geometry in computed tomographic angiography. However, the validity as compared to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is not well studied. Twenty patients with ruptured internal carotid artery aneurysm were identified in a two-year period. Mean difference in measurements from 3D computed tomographic angiography (3D-CTA) and 3D-DSA were less than 1 mm and 3D-DSA measurement did not alter the decision to proceed for endovascular embolization. With modern multislice computed tomography technology, good quality 3D-CTA alone would be sufficient to make size and geometry assessment for treatment selection for patients with ruptured internal carotid artery aneurysm.