Intracranial Aneurysm Wall Imaging in 3T MRI

Background:
Recent studies have suggested that wall enhancement of unruptured intracranial aneurysms in high-resolution MR imaging might serve as an imaging biomarker for higher risk of rupture. Histologic studies have revealed a possible association among inflammatory processes, degeneration, and destabilization of the aneurysm wall preceding rupture. Understanding the histologic condition underlying aneurysm wall enhancement could be an important step toward assessing the value of this method for risk stratification.

Purpose:
1. Development of a MRI-protocol for aneurysm wall characterization.
2. Correlation between MRI-findings and histopathological findings in operated aneurysms.
3. Longitudinal aneurysm wall imaging in patients with incidental aneurysms.