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Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of isolated aneurysmal third nerve palsy

R L Tomsak1, T J Masaryk, J H Bates

  • 1Division of Neuro-ophthalmology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Ohio 44106.

Journal of Clinical Neuro-Ophthalmology
|March 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) offers a non-invasive alternative to conventional angiography for diagnosing aneurysms. This study compared MRA and intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography in a patient with third nerve palsy due to a posterior communicating artery aneurysm.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Radiology
  • Vascular Imaging

Background:

  • Posterior communicating artery aneurysms are a significant cause of isolated third nerve palsy.
  • Conventional intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (IADSA) is the gold standard for diagnosing cerebral aneurysms but is invasive.
  • Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is a non-invasive imaging technique that can visualize blood vessels.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with isolated third nerve palsy.
  • The palsy was suspected to be caused by a posterior communicating artery aneurysm.
  • Both MRA and IADSA were performed for diagnostic comparison.

Findings:

  • MRA successfully identified the posterior communicating artery aneurysm.
  • The findings from MRA correlated with those from IADSA.
  • The study discusses the technical aspects of performing MRA in this context.

Implications:

  • MRA may serve as a viable non-invasive alternative to IADSA for the diagnosis of posterior communicating artery aneurysms causing third nerve palsy.
  • Non-invasive imaging like MRA can reduce patient risk and discomfort associated with conventional angiography.
  • Further research into MRA's efficacy in similar cases is warranted.

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