Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
Comprehensive Endovascular and Open Surgical Management of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations
Published on: October 20, 2017
[MR angiography follow-up of embolized cerebral aneurysms: interobserver agreement]
R Díaz Aguilera1, F Bravo Rodríguez, M J Ramos Gómez
1Sección de Neurorradiología, Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, España. diazar19@yahoo.es
Objective:
To determine the interobserver agreement in the interpretation of MR angiography (MRA) studies for surveillance of embolized intracranial aneurysms. To determine whether contrast administration improves interobserver agreement.
Material And Methods:
Two experienced neuroradiologists independently reviewed all follow-up MRA studies performed between July 2004 and December 2006 of cerebral aneurysms embolized with coils. All MRA studies included both unenhanced 3D time-of-flight (3D TOF) and contrast-enhanced MRA (CE-MRA) images. Studies were classified as: a) not assessable; b) complete occlusion; c) residual aneurysm. Interobserver agreement for unenhanced and enhanced MRA studies was determined using the kappa statistic. Kappa values were considered insignificant when<0.2, low when between 0.21 and 0.4, and moderate when between 0.41-0.6; values >0.6 were considered good agreement and >0.8 excellent agreement. Significance was set at p<0.005.
Results:
We reviewed a total of 200 MRA studies (100 3D TOF studies and 100 CE-MRA studies) performed in 48 patients (25 women, 23 men) at 6, 12, and/or 24 months after embolization. Interobserver agreement was good in both 3D TOF and CE-MRA studies, although it was better in CE-MRA studies (kappa=0.660, p<0.001 and kappa=0.779, p<0.001, respectively).
Conclusions:
Interobserver agreement is good for follow-up MRA studies of embolized intracranial aneurysms. Gadolinium administration improves interobserver agreement.
