Fiammetta Venditti MD, PRESENTER: Nothing to Disclose

Abstract: HTML Purpose: To compare low-dose multidetector-row CT Angiography (MDCTA) with DSA in evaluating patients with peripheral arterial disease. Methods and Materials: Sixty patients with peripheral arterial disease, divided into three groups of 20, underwent MDCTA with the following scanning protocol: collimation 4x2.5 mm, sl. th. 3 mm, gantry rotation time 0.5 sec, kV 120, delay time 28 seconds. The only variable among the three groups was mAs, respectively 130, 100 and 80, with a resultant CTDIw of 13.2, 10 and 7.9 mGy. All patients underwent DSA within 72 hours from CTA. Contrast agent (0.7 gI/kg of iomeprol 400 mgI/mL) was injected at 3.8 mL/sec and flushed with 30 mL of saline. Images were analyzed using a 3D real time interaction approach on a dedicated workstation utilizing all available reconstruction algorithms. Image quality and degree of stenosis were independently evaluated by 3 blinded readers. Results: Regarding image quality no significant difference was found among the three protocols. Slight artefacts related to beam hardening were present at the pelvis with the lower mAs protocol without impairment of diagnostic quality. Interobserver agreement was substantial to almost perfect in all cases. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy resulted of 96, 93 and 94%, independent of the mAs value. Conclusion: Low-dose MDCTA provides qualitatively acceptable images. It also appears accurate in the assessment of patients with peripheral arterial disease providing results comparable to higher dose protocols. Image noise on native lowest dose protocol can be reduced or eliminated thickening MIP or MPR images.       Questions about this event email: fiammettav@hotmail.com

Venditti MD, F, Low Dose Multidetector-row CT Angiography vs DSA in the Evaluation of Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease: Optimization of the Technique and Preliminary Results.  Radiological Society of North America 2003 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 30 - December 5, 2003 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2003/3104129.html