MR angiography for the long-term follow-up of dissecting aneurysms of the extracranial internal carotid artery

OBJECTIVE. We used MR angiography to examine and follow up the changes of dissecting aneurysms of the extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA). MATERIALS AND METHODS. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 101 consecutive patients with dissecting aneurysms of the extracranial ICA. Twenty patients with 26 spontaneous dissecting aneurysms were followed up with MR angiography every 1-2 years (men, 16; women, four; age range, 28-67 years; mean age, 51 years). RESULTS. The mean duration of follow-up was 41 months (range, 10-93 months). At MR angiography follow-up, 20 aneurysms did not change, four decreased from their original size by 33-53% (mean, 43%), and two resolved. One patient had an asymptomatic recurrent dissecting aneurysm of the extracranial ICA. Clinically, no patient had a thromboembolic stroke or transient ischemic attack during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION. MR angiography revealed that dissecting aneurysms of the extracranial ICA remain stable, decrease in size, or resolve-but they do not increase in size.