[Computer tomographic findings in vascular malformations of the cerebral arteries (author's transl)]

Basing on a retrospective study of the CT scan findings in vascular malformations of the cerebral arteries, compared with the angiographic findings, the article shows the diagnostic possibilities offered by computed tomography in subarachnoid haemorrhages. Localization of an aneurysm via computed tomography depends on the size of the aneurysm. Proof of an intracerebral haemorrhage is definitely a pointer towards lateral localization of the vascular malformation. This means that in severely ill patients, panangiography need not be effected for the purpose of diagnosis. Attention is drawn to the pathological emergence of the contrast medium after intravenous administration in subarachnoid haemorrhages. The authors considers this a sign of a disturbance of the blood-brain barrier, although the pathogenetic mechanism remains unknown. Computed tomography is a valuable complement to angiography in subarachnoidal haemorrhage. However, it is pointed out by means of a few examples that it may well be that an accurate diagnosis can be arrived at only via biopsy, i.e. by the histological approach only.