Computerized tomography angiography of ruptured cerebral aneurysms: factors affecting time to maximum contrast concentration

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Abstract
Object. This study was conducted to assess the diagnostic value of three-dimensional computerized tomography (3-D CT) angiography in demonstrating cerebral aneurysms in 42 consecutive patients presenting with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods. To obtain the volume data for selective visualization of the cerebral arteries without enhancement of the venous system, the time delay was established between the injection of contrast medium and the start of scanning by using two different methods. The circulation time was calculated with Schad's formula in the first 13 cases, but the results were not satisfactory. In the 29 subsequent cases the time delay was established using a single-level dynamic CT prescan. The dynamic prescan demonstrated the statistical differences in peak time with regard to patient age, SAH grade, and the postresuscitation state after cardiopulmonary arrest. The 3-D CT angiograms were generated from the volume data by using a voxel transmission method. Computerized tomography a...