Dirk-Andre Clevert MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Wieland H. Sommer MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sabine Weckbach MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Reinhard Kopp, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Maximilian F. Reiser MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The purpose of this study was to compare Color Duplex Ultrasound (CDU), contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and Multislice Computed Tomography (MS-CT) angiography in the routine follow up of patients following endovascular repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

129 consecutive patients with AAA underwent endovascular aneurysm repair and were imaged with CDU, CEUS and MS-CT angiography at regular intervals after the procedure. CEUS was examined with low MI-technique using 0.9 to 1.2 ml intravenous injection of SonoVue (Bracco, Italy) and using a multifrequency transducer 2-4 MHz (Siemens, Sequoia, Acuson or S 2000). Each imaging modality was evaluated for the detection of endoleaks. The presence of endoleaks was analyzed and the conspicuity of findings was assessed.

CTA was used as gold standard in determining the presence of endoleaks. CDU was true positive for endoleaks in 17/129 patients (13,2%) and false positive for endoleaks in 6/129 patients (4.6%). The sensitivity of CDU was therefore 32.3% and its specificity 92.8%; the positive and negative predictive values were 0.71 and 0.72, respectively. CEUS was true positive for the detection of endoleaks in 45/129 patients (34.9%) and false positive in 6/129 patients (4,6%). The sensitivity of CEUS was therefore 100 % and its specificity 93 %; the positive and negative predictive values were 0.88 and 1. In the follow up the six false positive endoleaks in CEUS were confirmed in three cases as true positive endoleaks by CEUS and MS-CT.

In patient group, contrast-enhanced ultrasound seemed to be equal in demonstrating endoleaks after EVAR in comparison to MS-CT angiography and may be considered as a primary surveillance modality whereas duplex ultrasound scanning alone is not as sensitive as CEUS and MS-CT angiography in detection of endoleaks.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound seemed to be equal in demonstrating endoleaks after EVAR in comparison to MS-CT angiography and may be considered as a primary surveillance modality.

Clevert, D, Sommer, W, Weckbach, S, Kopp, R, Reiser, M, MS-CT versus Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound in Detection of Endoleak Following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8016671.html