RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 MRA versus DSA for the follow-up imaging of intracranial aneurysms treated using endovascular techniques: a meta-analysis JF Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery JO J NeuroIntervent Surg FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. SP 1009 OP 1014 DO 10.1136/neurintsurg-2019-014936 VO 11 IS 10 A1 Syed Uzair Ahmed A1 J Mocco A1 Xiangnan Zhang A1 Michael Kelly A1 Amish Doshi A1 Kambiz Nael A1 Reade De Leacy YR 2019 UL http://jnis.bmj.com/content/11/10/1009.abstract AB Background Treated aneurysms must be followed over time to ensure durable occlusion, as more than 20% of endovascularly treated aneurysms recur. While digital subtraction angiography (DSA) remains the gold standard, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is attractive as a non-invasive follow-up technique. Two different MRA techniques have traditionally been used: time-of-flight (TOF) and contrast-enhanced (CE) MRA. We analysed data from studies comparing MRA techniques with DSA for the follow-up of aneurysms undergoing endovascular treatment. Subgroup analysis of stent-assisted coiling (SAC) and flow diversion (FD) techniques was completed.Methods Comprehensive searches using the Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane databases were performed and updated to November 2018. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were calculated using aneurysm occlusion status as defined by the Raymond–Roy occlusion grading scale.Results The literature search yielded 1579 unique titles. Forty-three studies were included. For TOF-MRA, sensitivity and specificity of all aneurysms undergoing endovascular therapy were 88% and 94%, respectively. For CE-MRA, the sensitivity and specificity were 88% and 96%, respectively. For SAC and FD techniques, sensitivity and specificity of TOF-MRA were 86% and 95%, respectively. CE-MRA had sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 92%.Conclusion MRA is a reliable modality for the follow-up of aneurysms treated using endovascular techniques. While the data are limited, MRA techniques can also be used to reliably follow patients undergoing FD and SAC. However, clinical factors must be used to optimize follow-up regimens for individual patients.