Imaging of intracranial aneurysms

Substantial advances have been made in the imaging of intracranial aneurysms over the past decade. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA), computed tomography (CT) angiography, and magnetic resonance (MR) angiography have all been shown to be extremely sensitive in the detection and characterization of most intracranial aneurysms. However, much of the focus in intracranial aneurysm imaging research has now been on identifying aneurysm wall characteristics and aneurysmal hemodynamic characteristics that are associated with future aneurysm growth and rupture. Owing to the excellent contrast resolution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and improvements in spatial resolution, MR has now become the preferred imaging modality for the characterization of such extraluminal characteristics.