Comparative analysis of aneurysm volume by different methods based on angiography and computed tomography angiography

Endovascular treatment and prognosis of intracranial aneurysms are based on size and volume, which demand more accurate neuroimaging techniques. Aneurysm volume calculation is important to choose endovascular treatment modalities and packing density calculation. Of all these methods, it remains unknown which one is the most accurate to calculate aneurysm volume. The objective of this study is to compare the accuracy of three angiography-based versus three tomographic-based methods which calculate aneurysm volume. A retrospective study which included patients with ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms diagnosed by angiogram and computed tomography angiography (CTA) was done. The accuracy of each method was assessed with an ellipsoid glass model of known volume, which helped us to adjust variation in volumetric measurements done with AngioSuite© and AngioCalc© softwares (based on angiographic and tomographic images), 3D–rotational angiography and 3D–CTA (tridimensional computed tomography angiography), based on measurements of diameters such as maximal width and maximal height. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA for repetitive samples and t test were used. We included 89 patients (126 saccular intracraneal aneurysms). AngioSuite© software (angiography-based) showed more accuracy compared to other methods in our control model. The geometric system (AngioCalc) based on CTA images was statistically different from all other methods studied. AngioCalc (CTA-based) demonstrated a significant difference compared with other methods hence, it may overestimate volume measurements. AngioSuite© software measurements (angiography-based) may be the most accurate method to calculate aneurysm volume.