Follow-up non-contrast MRA after treatment of intracranial aneurysms using microcoils with prominent metallic artifact: a comparative study of TOF-MRA and Silent MRA.

PURPOSE: Some of the detachable microcoils are associated with the prominent metallic artifact. We have applied Silent MRA to reduce the artifact. In this study, we present a retrospective study in which Silent MRA is used for cases showing prominent metallic artifact on conventional TOF-MRA due to a detachable bare platinum microcoil (Barricade coil). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients, who had undergone endosaccular embolization using Barricade coil and other detachable microcoils up to 3 days previously, were scanned with TOF-MRA and silent MRA at the same time. The treatment DSA and follow-up MRA images were graded by two experienced neuroradiologists, focusing on the visibility of residual aneurysm and parent arterial lumen. RESULTS: DSA images showed residual aneurysm (RA) in four, residual neck (RN) in six, and complete occlusion (CO) in five patients. TOF-MRA images showed RN in five, CO in four, mild defect (MD) in one, severe defect (SD) in three, and complete defect in two. In contrast, on Silent MRA, the grades were RA in two, RN in five, CO in five, and MD in three. CONCLUSION: Barricade coils are associated with prominent metallic artifact on TOF-MRA. Silent MRA is useful for follow-up MRA after embolization using Barricade coils. The metallic artifacts were compared between TOF-MRA and Silent MRA in patients treated by using Barricade coils. Barricade coils are associated with more metallic artifact on TOF-MRA than Silent MRA. Silent MRA is useful for follow-up MRA after embolization using Barricade coils.