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[Diagnosis of acute subarachnoid hemorrhage--MRI with 0.5 Tesla with FLAIR sequence]
W Kopsa1, H Leitner, G Perneczky
1Zentralröntgeninstitut, KA Rudolfstiftung.
Purpose:
Evaluation of MR imaging in patients with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) at 0.5 Tesla using the FLAIR (Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery) sequence. Additionally, the value of MR angiography (MRA) in the diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms was assessed.
Materials And Methods:
19 patients with suspected acute SAH were included in this study. MR imaging was performed using an axial FLAIR sequence and axial T1, T2 and PD weighted sequences. In 16 patients an additional MRA (3D-TOF) was performed. 10 patients without SAH were examined as a control group. At the end of the study the 29 MR examinations were randomised and the images were read by two experienced radiologists; subsequently a consensus interpretation was made.
Results:
In 16 patients an acute SAH was verified with the FLAIR sequence, in 13 cases the origin of hemorrhage was found during surgery. In the consensus interpretation of the MR images all cases were diagnosed properly. 12 of the 16 MRA studies were of diagnostic quality, but only 6 cases were interpreted correctly.
Conclusion:
The FLAIR sequence at 0.5 Tesla proved effective in the diagnosis of acute SAH. MRA at 0.5 Tesla failed in the detection of intracranial aneurysms.
Insights
Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) MR imaging effectively diagnosed acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) at 0.5 Tesla. However, MR angiography (MRA) at this field strength was not reliable for detecting intracranial aneurysms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroradiology
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Neurovascular Imaging
Background:
- Acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a critical neurological condition requiring prompt diagnosis.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers advanced visualization techniques for brain pathologies.
- Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) and MR angiography (MRA) are specific MRI sequences with potential diagnostic value.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of 0.5 Tesla MRI using FLAIR sequences for diagnosing acute SAH.
- To assess the diagnostic utility of 3D Time-of-Flight (3D-TOF) MRA at 0.5 Tesla for detecting intracranial aneurysms.
Main Methods:
- Nineteen patients with suspected acute SAH underwent MRI, including axial FLAIR and conventional T1, T2, and PD weighted sequences.
- MRA (3D-TOF) was performed in 16 patients; a control group of 10 healthy individuals was also included.
- All 29 MRI examinations were randomized and interpreted by two experienced radiologists to reach a consensus diagnosis.
Main Results:
- FLAIR sequences accurately identified acute SAH in 16 patients, with hemorrhage origin confirmed surgically in 13 cases.
- Consensus interpretation of all MR images led to correct diagnoses for all SAH cases.
- While 12 of 16 MRA studies were of diagnostic quality, only 6 intracranial aneurysms were correctly identified.
Conclusions:
- 0.5 Tesla FLAIR MRI is a reliable method for diagnosing acute subarachnoid hemorrhage.
- 0.5 Tesla 3D-TOF MRA demonstrates limitations in the accurate detection of intracranial aneurysms.