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Published on: August 11, 2015
Prevalence of unruptured intracranial aneurysm on MR angiography
Tae Yeon Jeon1, Pyoung Jeon, Keon Ha Kim
1Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 135-710, Korea.
Objective:
To evaluate the prevalence of incidentally found unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) on the brain MR angiography (MRA) from a community-based general hospital.
Materials And Methods:
This was a prospectively collected retrospective study, carried out from January 2004 to December 2004. The subjects included 3049 persons from a community-based hospital in whom MRA was performed according to a standardized protocol in an outpatient setting. Age- and sex-specific prevalence of UIAs was calculated. The results by MRA were compared with intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) findings.
Results:
Unruptured intracranial aneurysms were found in 137 (5%) of the 3049 patients (M:F = 43:94; mean age, 60.2 years). The prevalence of UIAs was 5% (n = 94) in women and 4% (n = 43) in men, respectively (p = 0.2046) and showed no age-related increase. The most common site of aneurysm was at the distal internal carotid artery (n = 64, 39%), followed by the middle cerebral artery (n = 40, 24%). In total, 99% of aneurysms measured less than 12 mm, and 93% of aneurysms measured less than 7 mm. Direct comparisons between MRA and DSA were available in 70 patients with 83 UIAs; the results revealed two false positive and two false negative results.
Conclusion:
This community-hospital based study suggested a higher prevalence of UIAs observed by MRA than previously reported. These findings should be anticipated in the design and use of neuroimaging in clinical practice.
Insights
This study found unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) in 5% of patients undergoing brain MR angiography (MRA). The prevalence was higher in women and most commonly occurred in the internal carotid artery.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Vascular Imaging
Background:
- Unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) are a significant concern in neurovascular health.
- Accurate prevalence data is crucial for risk assessment and clinical management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of incidentally discovered UIAs using brain MR angiography (MRA) in a community hospital setting.
- To analyze the demographic and anatomical characteristics of these aneurysms.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, retrospective study of 3049 patients who underwent MRA.
- Calculation of age- and sex-specific UIA prevalence.
- Comparison of MRA findings with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in a subset of patients.
Main Results:
- UIAs were detected in 137 (5%) of 3049 patients, with a higher prevalence in women (5%) than men (4%).
- The distal internal carotid artery was the most common site (39%), followed by the middle cerebral artery (24%).
- MRA demonstrated high accuracy when compared to DSA, with minimal false positive/negative rates.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of UIAs identified by MRA in this community hospital cohort appears higher than previously reported.
- These findings necessitate consideration in the interpretation and application of neuroimaging protocols.
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