SCINTIGRAPHIC DETECTION OF CONGENITAL INTRACRANIAL VASCULAR MALFORMATIONS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 19  (3) , 235-244
Abstract
Children (9) with arteriovenous malformations (AVM) and a 10th with a cerebral aneurysm had computer-processed dynamic scintigraphy with static scintigrams, transmission computed tomography (CT) both with and without contrast injection and radiopaque cerebral angiography. All 10 lesions were detected by dynamic scintigraphy and angiography, whereas 2 AVM were missed on CT scans and the aneurysm and 2 AVM (1 missed by CT) were not identified on static scintigrams. Time-activity curves generated from regions of interest placed over the cerebral hemispheres, AVM and/or various venous structures permitted, respectively, estimation of interhemispheric partition of perfusion, estimation of the fraction of total cerebral hemispheric perfusion preferentially directed into a malformation and indication of the route of venous drainage from the lesions. While dynamic scintigraphy and CT scanning both identified the aneurysm, scintigraphy was the most effective screening rest for detecting AVM owing to its accuracy, lower cost and lack of required anesthesia, heavy sedation or iodinated contrast agents.