Multislice computed tomography angiography of the abdominal arteries: Comparison between computed tomography angiography and digital subtraction angiography findings in 52 cases

Abstract

Since the introduction of multislice CT scanners, CT angiography (CTA) has become a powerful tool for imaging the vascular system. We compare conventional angiography to CTA in the diagnosis of morphological changes in the abdominal aorta and its branches. A retrospective analysis of 52 patients who underwent both multislice CT angiography (MSCTA) and digital subtraction angiography before surgical treatment is presented. All CT examinations were performed after administration of 100 mL contrast medium with a collimation of 4 x 1 mm and a pitch of 7. A standardized evaluation of the axial, multiplanar and 3D reconstructions was performed by two experienced radiologists. Stenoses were classified as high-grade and low-grade, and aneurysms, occlusions and arteriosclerosis were evaluated. The CTA findings were compared with conventional angiography. All aneurysms, occlusions, stenoses and calcifications were diagnosed correctly by CTA in axial and multiplanar projections (sensitivity 1.0; specificity 1.0). The degree of stenosis was overestimated in three cases when using axial projections. Three-dimensional volume-rendered CTA showed a sensitivity of 0.91 for aneurysms, 0.82 for stenoses, 0.75 for occlusions and 0.77 for calcifications. The specificity was 1.0 in all cases. Multislice CT angiography seems to be similar to conventional digital subtraction angiography for abdominal vessels if multiplanar projections are used.

Chronic gastrointestinal ischaemia: shifting paradigms

“…Only a few studies compared CTA or MRA with DSA as the current gold standard in the evaluation of patients suspected for CGI. In a recently published study, 52 patients had both CTA and DSA for visualisation of the gastrointestinal arteries, showing a sensitivity of CTA for abdominal arterial stenosis of 82%, with a specificity of 100% 46. Another study compared MRA and conventional DSA in 65 patients suspected for CGI.…”

Multi-detector row computed tomography angiography of peripheral arterial disease

“… a Based on references [ 1 – 6 , 8 – 10 , 13 – 24 , 31 , 34 , 35 , 56 , 57 ] b For various anatomic levels c Calculated from the data d Based only on subtracted MDCTA images, the positive predictive value was 95% e Sensitivity as published or calculated overall mean. f Diameter stenosis is mentioned unless specified (>50 means stenosis more than 50% including occlusion) g For subtracted and nonsubtracted segments, respectively h Depending on the MDCTA protocol with varying mAs …”

Diagnosis and management of splanchnic ischemia

“…In our experience, these include pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and retroperitoneal tumors. Adding the advantages of minimal invasiveness and lower costs, CT angiography can be a serious competition for conventional angiography [67,69,71,72] . Angiography Intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the splanchnic vessels can be used to perfor m endovascular therapeutic procedures in the same session, including infusion of papaverine and angioplasty or stenting of stenoses.…”