Investigating of the Usefulness of Multidetector-row Computed Tomography for Diagnosing Abdominal Visceral Pseudoaneurysms

Abstract

: Abdominal visceral pseudoaneurysms are rare, but rapid diagnosis is clinically important because of the associated conditions that are often fatal. Multidetector-row computed tomography MDCT is important in the diagnosis and treatment of many human conditions. This study thus sought to investigate the usefulness of MDCT for diagnosing abdominal visceral pseudoaneurysms. We retrospectively assessed the MDCT diagnosis of pseudoaneurysms and identi cation of the responsible vessels or cases diagnosed with an abdominal visceral pseudoaneurysm via angiography. The study comprised 35 patients who underwent MDCT preoperatively and in whom angiography detected an abdominal visceral pseudoaneurysm over a 7-year period. Using the angiography ndings as the gold standard, we investigated whether a pseudoaneurysm and the responsible vessel could be diagnosed using preoperatively imaged MDCT findings. For angiography and MDCT, diagnosis was reached on the basis of two radiologists agreement. Of 35 patients 28 males and 7 females , the median subject age was 67 years range : 22-84 years . We found that MDCT could preoperatively detect abnormal ndings such as hematomas in all patients. MDCT detected the presence of a pseudoaneurysm in 88.6 31 / 35 of patients and identi ed the responsible vessel in 71 25 / 35 of patients. In 6 patients, MDCT ndings could successfully reveal both the pseudoaneurysm and the extravasation. MDCT was effective for diagnosing abdominal visceral pseudoaneurysms and it could be useful for determining treatment strategies and aiding treatment techniques in such patients.