Four-dimensional digital subtraction angiography for the vascular anatomical diagnosis of dural arteriovenous malformation: Comparison with the conventional method.

Background: Two-dimensional digital subtraction angiography (2D-DSA) and conventional three-dimensional digital subtraction angiography (3D-DSA) are used for the detailed analysis of dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF). Recently, four-dimensional digital subtraction angiography (4D-DSA), a novel technology, has been attracting attention. The current study aimed to evaluate the capability of 4D-DSA in assessing anatomical angioarchitecture in DAVF.

Methods: In total, 10 consecutive patients with DAVF who underwent 3D-DSA and 4D-DSA at a single institution were included in the analysis. Initially, one-slice multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images obtained via 4D-DSA and 3D-DSA were compared to investigate the visibility of the feeding artery, fistulous point, and draining vein. Next, 4D-DSA images alone were compared and evaluated with and the MPR images of conventional 3D-DSA in terms of diagnosis of the angioarchitecture.

Results: In total, six men and four women (with a mean age of 65.6 ± 10.0 years) were included in the study. The MPR image obtained via 3D-DSA had a significantly better visibility of the feeding artery and fistulous point than that acquired via 4D-DSA (p < 0.05). As for the draining vein, the score was equivalent and not significant. The diagnosis of the vascular architecture of only 4D-DSA images was nearly equivalent to that of MPR images of 3D-DSA. There were no inter-rater differences.

Conclusion: The MPR images obtained via 4D-DSA may be slightly inferior to those acquired via 3D-DSA in identifying fine angioarchitecture in DAVF. However, they were comparable in terms of diagnostic accuracy.