Journal List > J Korean Radiol Soc > v.57(4) > 1004467

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Park, Ryu, Kim, Choi, and Lee: False-positive Intracranial Aneurysms on MR Angiography: Incidence and Causes
Original Article

Journal of the Korean Radiological Society 2007; 57(4): 307-314.

Published online: 31 October 2007

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2007.57.4.307

False-positive Intracranial Aneurysms on MR Angiography: Incidence and Causes

Bo Ram Park, M.D., Chang Woo Ryu, M.D.2, Eui Jong Kim, M.D., Woo Suk Choi, M.D., Deok Hee Lee, M.D.3

Department of Radiology, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Korea.

2Department of Radiology, East-West Neo Medical Center, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Korea.

3Department of Radiology, Seoul Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine Ulsan University, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Chang Woo Ryu, M.D. Department of Radiology, East-West Neo Medical Center, College of Medicine Kyung Hee University, Sangil-dong 149, Kangdong-gu, Seoul 134-090, Korea. Tel. 82-2-440-6186, 6933, Fax. 82-2-440-6932, radryu@khu.ac.kr

Copyright © 2007 by The Korean Society of Radiology

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the incidence and causes of false-positive intracranial aneurysms on MR angiography (MRA).

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 210 cases that were incidentally diagnosed as intracranial aneurysms on MRA. All the cases were confirmed by CT angiography (CTA) or digital subtraction angiography (DSA). We investigated the incidence, location, size, and causes of the false-positive aneurysms on MRA.

Results

Of 210 cases, 28 cases were confirmed as false-positive aneurysms. Most of the lesions were located on the middle cerebral artery (n = 9, 7 lesions located in the bifurcation and 2 lesions located in the trunk) and the anterior communicating artery (n = 5). The diameters of most of the lesions (78.6%) were smaller than 3 mm. Causes were junctional dilatation (n = 14), vascular tortuosity (n = 6), normal variation (n = 3) and unknown causes (n = 3).

Conclusion

Understanding the risks and pitfalls of false-positive intracranial aneurysms determined on MRA would be helpful for improving the diagnostic accuracy of screening MRA and for reducing the number of unnecessary invasive examinations.

Keywords: Intracranial aneurysm, False positive reactions, Magnetic resonance angiography

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