螺距的选择对老年慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者成像质量的影响

目的探讨螺距的选择对64层CT螺旋扫描模式对老年慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)胸部图像质量的影响。方法选择老年(COPD)患者100例,分为两组,A组(50例)采用螺距为0.984、B组(50例)采用螺距为1.375进行胸部CT扫描。使用GE Lightspeed sys#vct 64层CT机,120kV,200mA,层厚5mm,0.8s/r。应用SPSS11.5软件分别对A组和B组的CT图像运动伪影出现率进行χ~2检验,两组间图像质量比较、噪声比较、扫描时间进行t检验。结果 A组患者出现伪影17例,B组4例,较A组减少26%。A组患者平均扫描时间为7s,B组为5.3s,较A组扫描时间平均减少1.7s。结论在进行COPD胸部CT检查中,管电压和管电流恒定不变的情况下选择大螺距扫描,可以减少扫描时间、降低辐射剂量,在保证图像质量的同时,呼吸运动伪影减少,从而达到优化图像的同时降低辐射剂量的目的。     

320排容积CT三种心电扫描模式在胸腹主动脉CTA中的应用

目的探讨320排容积CT胸腹主动脉成像（CT angiography,CTA）在三种心电扫描模式下的图像质量及辐射剂量,为患者提供个性化扫描方案。方法183例疑似主动脉疾病患者随机分为三组。采用前瞻Wide-Volume扫描（A组）;前瞻性心电门控螺旋扫描（B组）;VHP扫描（可变螺距螺旋扫描）（C组）。每组再根据心率分成两个亚组,亚组1心率〉70次／min,亚组2心率〈70次／min。获得的6组图像数据分别进行图像处理,由2名有经验的放射科医师评价图像质量并进行统计学分析。结果183例患者全部获得满意图像质量。三组中,前瞻性心电门控螺旋扫描获图像质量最佳（主动脉评分-x=1．04分;冠状动脉评分-x=1．18分）,辐射剂量最低（-x=13．62mSv）,在低心率组（〈70次／rain）扫描时间最短（-x=14．1s）;前瞻Wide-Volume扫描在高心率组（〉70次／min）扫描时间最短（-x=14．5s）;VHP扫描辐射剂量最高（-x=24．04mSv）。各组间对比剂用量差异无统计学意义（A组-x=78．1ml;B组-x=79．6ml;C组-x=80．2ml,P〉O．05）。结论前瞻性心电门控螺旋扫描适用较低心率患者（心率〈70次／min）,前瞻Wide-Volume扫描适用于较高心率患者（心率〉70次／min）,VHP扫描辐射剂量较高,对比前两种方法无明显优势。     

心电门控大螺距联合自动管电压选择技术在胸腹主动脉CTA中的应用研究

目的:探讨心电门控大螺距联合自动管电压选择(CARE k V)技术在胸腹主动脉CTA检查中的临床价值。方法:对临床疑似胸腹主动脉病变患者行CTA检查,研究组使用第2代双源CT的心电门控大螺距联合CARE k V技术,对比剂及生理盐水的用量、注射流率根据实际管电压值设定;对照组为同期使用64排CT行CTA检查的患者,对比剂用量(90±5)m L,注射流率5.0 m L/s。辐射剂量统计使用设备自带的数据。扫描图像上传至工作站行血管重建,图像评价由2名主治医师独立完成。结果:2组主动脉根部平均CT值差异无统计学意义(P0.05);2组在CTDIvol、DLP、ED、SNR、图像质量评分差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。与对照组比较,研究组接受的辐射剂量显著降低,图像质量评分更高(均P0.05)。研究组对比剂用量(68.81±2.34)m L,对照组为(90±5)m L,研究组用量为对照组的63%~82%,差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。研究组注射流率(4.88±0.23)m L/s,对照组为5 m L/s两者差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:心电门控大螺距联合CARE k V技术在提高胸腹主动脉CTA图像质量的同时,降低了辐射剂量、对比剂用量和注射流率,缩短了扫描时间。     

低管电压、低对比剂用量和大螺距在双期减影头颈血管CTA中的运用

【摘要】目的：探讨低管电压和低对比剂用量结合大螺距扫描对头颈部CTA的图像质量和辐射剂量的影响,评估其临床可行性。方法：将50例患者随机分为两组。A组患者行常规扫描：100kVp,螺距0.810,50mL碘佛醇（320mg I/mL）以5mL/s注射;B组患者行低剂量扫描：80kVp,螺距1.390,以6mL/s注射24mL对比剂,随后以相同流率注射18mL对比剂和盐水混合液（1:1混合）。比较两组间的动脉CT值、信噪比（SNR）、对比噪声比（CNR）、图像质量、有效辐射剂量（ED）和碘总量。结果：两组图像充分满足临床诊断（4.86±0.34 vs 4.78±0.41,Z=-0.725,P=0.468),且观察者间一致性良好(A组kappa=0.834 vs B组kappa=0.884)。两组各动脉平均CT值、SNR和CNR基本一致（P>0.05）,B组与A组相比CTDIvol降低21.4%［（59.84±14.59）mGy vs （76.11±24.16）mGy,Z＝-2.396,P=0.017］,DLP降低45.8%［（275.54±22.73）mGy·cm vs （508.43±89.61）mGy·cm,Z＝-6.063,P<0.001］,ED降低45.8%［（0.85±0.07)mSv vs (1.58±0.28)mSv,Z＝-6.063,P<0.001］,对比剂减少34%（10.56g vs 16g）。结论：低管电压、低对比剂用量和大螺距扫描可充分获得具有诊断价值的头颈CTA图像。     

320排动态容积扫描对诊断胡桃夹综合征的应用探讨

目的探讨320排动态容积CTA诊断胡桃夹综合征(nutcracker syndrome,NCS)的临床应用。方法对照分析经临床证实为NCS的30例患者资料(分A、B两组,每组15例)。A组行320排动态容积CTA检查,B组行64排螺旋CT增强扫描。获取两组X线辐射剂量值进行统计学分析。对两组容积再现(VR)、最大密(强)度投影(MIP)图像质量进行评分,并对评分情况进行统计学分析。结果统计A组CT剂量指数(CTDlvol)、剂量长度乘积(DLP)及有效剂量(ED)值分别为:(60.62±5.08)mGy、(1151.98±128.13)mGycm、(7.28±1.92)mSv。B组CTDlvol、DLP及ED值分别为:(83.19±10.03)mGy、(1543.16±134.12)mGycm、(23.15±2.01)mSv,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。A、B两组图像质量评分情况差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。A组对比剂用量比B组平均少10 ml。结论 320排动态容积CTA对NCS的诊断较64排CT增强扫描及重组后处理技术得到VR及MIP图像更清晰优质,同时减少了X线辐射剂量和对比剂摄入量,减少了患者的放射损害及药物损害。     

能谱CT结合ASIR和低浓度对比剂腹部动脉成像质量及辐射剂量研究

目的与常规CT血管成像对比,评价能谱CT结合自适应迭代统计(ASIR)技术和低浓度对比剂在腹部动脉成像质量及辐射剂量。方法将61例行腹部CTA检查的患者随机分成A、B两组。A组:31例,进行能谱CTA扫描,螺距1.375,运用能谱(GSI)扫描,结合50%ASIR重建优化血管成像。B组:30例,进行常规CTA扫描(120k Vp),噪声指数12,螺距1.375。A组用270碘克沙醇对比剂(浓度270mgl/ml),B组用350碘普罗胺对比剂(浓度350mgl/ml),两组对比剂总量都为1ml/kg,注射速度为5ml/s。兴趣区分别放在腹腔干水平的腹主动脉和左侧深层椎旁肌。测量A、B两组腹主动脉CT值及图像噪声,计算出血管信噪比和对比噪声比。利用统计学比较这两组的辐射计量,对比剂计量和反映图像质量的信噪比和对比噪声比等。结果两组BMI值没有差异性(P0.05),A组DLP是(245.59±32.96)m Gy.cm,B组是(380.42±104.54)m Gy.cm,两组具有差异性(P0.05)。辐射计量和对比剂剂量在A组分别降低了35.4%和22.9%。A组图像的腹主动脉的信号强度显著高于B组(432.0±74.8)HU vs(340.7±65.3)HU,(P0.05)。A组图像腹主动脉的对比噪声比和信噪比也是显著高于B组(分别是40.63±2.75 vs.30.45±1.94和48.76±3.23 vs.38.75±2.52,P0.05)。结论与常规CTA模式相比,运用低浓度对比剂结合50%ASIR能谱模式的腹部CTA提供良好的血管成像同时显著的降低辐射计量和对比剂剂量。     

光子探测器双源CT70kV联合低对比剂在冠状动脉CTA中的应用

目的：探讨 Stellar 光子探测器双源 CT 70 kV 管电压联合30 mL 低对比剂前瞻性大螺距扫描在冠状动脉 CTA 中的应用价值。方法60例体质量指数(BMI<24.9 kg/m2)正常行冠状动脉 CTA 检查者,随机分为2组(A 组：管电压70 kV、对比剂30 mL;B组：管电压100 kV、对比剂50 mL),每组30例,2组均采用 Stellar 光子探测器双源 CT 前瞻性大螺距螺旋式扫描技术进行扫描。A组采用 SAFIRE 迭代重建技术,B 组采用滤过反投影(FBP)技术重建;客观评价包括测量 CT 值、计算信号噪声比(SNR)、对比噪声比(CNR)及记录有效辐射剂量(ED),并用4分法对图像质量评分。组间对比采用独立样本 t 检验。结果冠状动脉图像质量评分分别为(3.38±0.942)分、(3.50±0.682)分,组间差异无统计学意义(t =-0.562,P >0.05);A 组患者冠状动脉各节段 CT 值高于B 组(P 均<0.01),2组间 SNR、CNR 差异无统计学意义(P >0.05)。A 组患者辐射剂量为(0.19±0.023)mSv ,B 组患者辐射剂量为(0.81±0.101)mSv,A 组较 B 组下降76.5%,差异有统计学意义(P <0.01)。结论光子探测器双源 CT 70 kV 管电压联合30 mL低对比剂在正常 BMI 患者冠状动脉 CTA 检查中,在获取满足诊断要求图像质量的同时显著降低 ED 及对比剂用量。     

低管电压对双源CT冠状动脉成像图像质量和辐射剂量的影响

目的：分析低管电压双源CT冠状动脉成像（CTA）的图像质量,探讨低管电压扫描对减少冠状动脉CTA检查辐射剂量的价值。方法：150例患者分成两组行双源CT冠状动脉CTA检查,A组使用100kV管电压扫描,B组使用120kV管电压扫描。比较两组的辐射剂量,同时分析并比较两组冠状动脉的整体图像质量。结果：A、B两组的辐射剂量分别为（6.80±1.70）mSv和（13.01±2.61）mSv,A组辐射剂量明显小于B组,差异有统计学意义（t=17.168,P=0.000）。A、B两组冠状动脉图像质量评分分别为（2.87±0.25）分和（2.92±0.17）分,两组间差异无统计学意义（Z=-1.067,P=0.286）。结论：采用100kV管电压扫描行冠状动脉CTA检查能明显减小正常和略胖体型患者所接受的辐射剂量,同时图像质量不受影响。     

第三代双源CT冠状动脉成像三低扫描方案的初步经验

【摘要】目的：探究第三代双源CT（DSCT）前瞻性心电门控大螺距CT冠状动脉成像（CTCA）扫描模式下,应用70kv低管电压联合20mL低对比剂用量和3.0mL/s低注射流率的三低方案的可行性。方法：应用第三代双源CT对100例体质量指数（BMI）≤30kg/m2、 心率（HR）≤75次/分的患者行前瞻性心电门控大螺距CTCA检查。所有患者随机分为两组,采用2种扫描方案：A组48例,管电压80kVp,对比剂总量及流率分别为40mL和4.0mL/s;B组52例,管电压70kVp,对比剂总量及流率分别为20mL和3.0mL/s。测量动脉腔内CT值、图像噪声、信噪比（SNR）和对比噪声比（CNR）等客观指标以及Likert 4级主观评分法比较两组的图像质量,记录并比较两组的辐射剂量。结果：B组的图像噪声显著高于A组,但动脉（主动脉、左冠脉主干和前降支、右冠状动脉）腔内CT值均显著高于A组（P＜0.05）。两组间SNR和CNR的差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,两组间图像质量评分的差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。与A组相比,B组的有效辐射剂量减少了40%。结论：使用第三代DSCT结合三低扫描方案行前瞻性心电门控大螺距冠状动脉成像,可获得较为满意的图像质量,且辐射剂量、对比剂用量和流率均较常规扫描方案显著降低。     

多层双源CT大螺距头颈心血管双期扫描在心率波动患者中应用的可行性研究

目的探讨多层双源CT大螺距头颈心血管双期扫描在心率波动患者中应用的可行性,并评价图像质量及辐射剂量。方法回顾性分析2017年1月至2019年11月河北省人民医院心率波动大于3次/min的79例患者。按照检查方案的不同将患者分为2组:A组(40例):注射1次对比剂,采用大螺距双期模式行头颈心CTA一站式扫描(第1期图像为Single A组,第1、2期结合图像为Double A组);B组(39例):注射2次对比剂,分别行头颈CTA减影扫描和冠状动脉CTA回顾性心电门控扫描。对图像资料进行主观评分,并测量CT值、噪声(SD)、信噪比(SNR)、对比噪声比(CNR)等客观评价指标,记录辐射剂量与对比剂用量。采用单因素方差分析比较3组图像的主观评分、客观评价指标及辐射剂量,采用独立样本t检验比较A组与B组对比剂用量。结果Single A组、Double A组和B组间的头颈CTA主观评分差异无统计学意义,均满足诊断需求;3组间的冠状动脉CTA主观评分差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),Single A组评分最低,Double A组和B组间差异无统计学意义(P=0.104),均满足诊断需求。Double A组为双期结合、择优评价图像。头颈CTA检查3组间CT值、SD值、SNR和CNR差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05),其中Single A组与Double A组差异均无统计学意义,B组和Single A组、B组和Double A组的差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。冠状动脉CTA检查3组间的CT值、SNR和CNR差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。3组患者间的剂量长度乘积和有效剂量差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。Double A组的有效剂量(2.66±0.92)mSv较B组(4.94±1.70)mSv降低46.15%。A组对比剂用量为(57.60±5.46)ml,较B组(103.10±3.17)ml降低44.13%,差异有统计学意义(t=-45.455,P<0.01)。结论多层双源CT大螺距双期扫描在心率波动患者的头颈心血管一站式成像中具有可行性,能以较低的辐射剂量与对比剂量获得满意的图像质量。     

Aortic aneurysms: growth rates measured with CT.

Because of a lack of information about the rates of growth of aortic aneurysms, such rates in thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms were determined. One hundred seventy-one patients with atherosclerotic aortic aneurysm managed nonoperatively were followed up for more than 6 months with sequential computed tomography (CT). There were 211 aneurysms (thoracic aortic, 82; abdominal aortic, 129). The growth rates of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms were 0.42 and 0.28 cm/y, respectively. Aneurysms at the aortic arch (n = 34) grew at a faster average rate (0.56 cm/y) than aneurysms arising at other levels, even when the rate was corrected for the initial diameter. It is recommended that thoracic aortic aneurysms, especially aortic arch aneurysms, be followed frequently with CT examination of size.     

Aorta and iliac arteries: single versus multiple detector-row helical CT angiography

PURPOSE: To compare single- versus four-channel helical computed tomographic (CT) aortography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients with aortic aneurysm or dissection underwent four- and one-channel CT angiography. Scan pairs covered the thoracic inlet to the diaphragm (n = 10) and supraceliac abdominal aorta (n = 19) or thoracic inlet (n = 19) to the femoral arterial bifurcations. For four-channel CT, nominal section thickness and pitch were 2.5 mm and 6.0, respectively, and for one-channel CT, 3.0 mm and 2.0 to the infrarenal aorta and 5.0 mm and 2.0 to the femoral arteries. Effective section thickness, scanning duration, scanning coverage, dose of iodinated contrast material, and mean aortoiliac attenuation were compared. Data were summarized as speed (coverage/duration), scanning efficiency (speed/section thickness), and contrast efficiency (mean aortic attenuation/dose of contrast material). RESULTS: At four- versus one-channel CT, CT angiography was 2.6 times faster, scanning efficiency was 4.1 times greater, contrast efficiency was 2.5 times greater, dose of contrast material was reduced (mean, 57%; 97 vs 232 mL) without a significant change in aortic enhancement, and sections were thinner (mean, 40%; 3.2 vs 5.3 mm) despite a 59% shorter scanning duration (22 vs 56 seconds). CONCLUSION: Substantially reduced doses of contrast medium, shorter scanning durations, and narrower effective sections result with four- versus one-channel CT aortography. No advantages of one-channel CT aortography were demonstrated.     

Abdominal aortic aneurysm: pretherapy assessment with dual-slice helical CT angiography

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate dual-slice helical CT in the pretherapy assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Dual-slice helical CT angiography was performed in 47 consecutive patients (mean age, 59 years) with abdominal aortic aneurysm to determine whether we could then evaluate the extent of aneurysm and see associated renal, celiac, mesenteric, and iliofemoral artery disease. Results were compared with those of digital subtraction angiography (n = 47) and surgery (n = 37). RESULTS: The proximal and distal extents of abdominal aortic aneurysm correlated well with surgical findings. Dual-slice helical CT showed all main (n = 102) and accessory (n = 13) renal arteries with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 100% for revealing associated renal artery stenosis exceeding 50%. Sensitivity and specificity of dual-slice helical CT for revealing stenosis exceeding 75% in celiac and superior mesenteric arteries were both 100%. Three of four iliofemoral artery stenoses and two occlusions of the common iliac artery were revealed by dual-slice helical CT. CONCLUSION: Helical CT angiography with dual-slice scanning is a useful and minimally invasive technique that can provide with high accuracy all the necessary information for treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm.     

Multislice CT virtual intravascular endoscopy for abdominal aortic aneurysm stent grafts

PURPOSE: To investigate the optimal scanning protocols of multislice computed tomographic (CT) angiography in aortic stent graft placement observed on virtual intravascular endoscopy (VIE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A human aorta phantom was built with a commercial aortic stent graft placed in situ. The phantom was housed in a perspex container and filled with contrast medium with CT attenuation similar to that used in the patient's abdominal scanning. CT was performed with a four-slice multislice CT scanner with section thickness of 1.3 mm, 2 mm, and 3.2 mm, pitch of 0.75, 1, and 1.5, and reconstruction interval of 50% overlap and no overlap. Stair-step artifacts were quantified by measuring the SD of signal intensity on surfaced shaded VIE images in three different locations: superior mesenteric artery (SMA), renal ostium, and aortic aneurysm. RESULTS: Image quality of VIE images was independent of section thickness and pitch values in the level of renal ostium and aortic aneurysm (P >.05), whereas it was determined by the section thickness and pitch in the level of SMA (P <.05). Aortic branch origin became irregular or distorted when section thickness increased to 3.2 mm or pitch reached 1.5. CONCLUSION: A scanning protocol of section thickness of 2 mm, pitch 1, and reconstruction interval of 1 mm is recommended in aortic stent graft placement because it allows fewer stair-step artifacts and better visualization of the aortic stent wires observed on VIE.     

MRI,CT的正常胸主动脉研究及高血压对胸主动脉的影响

通过对５５例健康志愿者的胸主动脉ＭＲＩ检查、１２０例正常人的胸部ＣＴ扫描，并与５０例高血压患者的胸主动脉ＣＴ扫描进行对照、比较，研究、确定了中国人胸主动脉不同平面的正常值范围及性别、年龄、体重和胸椎体大小与胸主动脉管径的关系，观察了高血压时胸主动脉管径的变化。笔者认为健康人胸主动脉管径随年龄增大而增宽；ＭＲＩ所测各径线与ＣＴ相近（Ｐ＞０．０５）；年龄、体重、胸椎体大小均与胸主动脉管径正相关（Ｐ＜０．０１）；高血压患者的胸主动脉管径大于同年龄段健康受检者的管径。     

Optimal scanning protocol of multislice CT virtual intravascular endoscopy in pre-aortic stent grafting: in vitro phantom study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the optimal scanning protocol for multislice computed tomography angiography (MSCT) in pre-aortic stent grafting observed with virtual intravascular endoscopy (VIE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed on a human abdominal aortic phantom which was housed in a perspex container, filled with contrast medium having CT attenuation similar to that used in the patient's abdominal CT scan. A series of scans were performed on a four-slice multislice CT scanner with the scanning protocols as follows: section thickness of 1.3, 3.2 and 6.5 mm, pitch value of 0.875, 1.25 and 1.75 with reconstruction intervals of 50% overlap. The degree of stair-step artifacts was measured at three different locations, superior mesenteric artery (SMA), renal ostium and the normal abdominal aorta. Standard deviation (S.D.) of the signal intensity measured on surface shaded images was used to determine the image quality. Radiation dose was also recorded in each scanning protocol. RESULTS: The VIE images showed that image quality was not dependent on pitch and section thickness in the visualization of renal ostium and SMA, whereas it was dependent on these two factors at the level of the normal aorta (p<0.05). It was noticed that when section thickness reached 6.5 mm the SMA and renal ostia became distorted. Radiation dose measured in 1.3 mm protocols was significantly higher that those measured in other section thicknesses (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The scanning protocol of section thickness 3.2 mm, pitch 1.25 with a reconstruction interval of 1.6 mm was recommended as it allows optimal visualization of VIE images of aortic ostia, generation of fewer artifacts and less radiation dose.     

CT fluoroscopy-assisted puncture of thoracic and abdominal masses: a randomized trial

PURPOSE: We investigated the benefit of real-time guidance of interventional punctures by means of computed tomography fluoroscopy (CTF) compared with the conventional sequential acquisition guidance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospective randomized trial, 75 patients underwent either CTF-guided (group A, n = 50) or sequential CT-guided (group B, n = 25) punctures of thoracic (n = 29) or abdominal (n = 46) masses. CTF was performed on the CT machine (Somatom Plus 4 Power, Siemens Corp., Forchheim, Germany) equipped with the C.A.R.E. Vision application (tube voltage 120 kV, tube current 50 mA, rotational time 0.75 s, slice thickness 10 mm, 8 frames/s). RESULTS: The average procedure time showed a statistically significant difference between the two study groups (group A: 564 s, group B 795 s, P = 0.0032). The mean total mAs was 7089 mAs for the CTF and 4856 mAs for the sequential image-guided intervention, respectively. The sensitivity was 71% specificity 100% positive predictive value 100% and negative predictive value 60% for the CTF-guided puncture, and 68, 100, 100 and 50% for sequential CT, respectively. CONCLUSION: CTF guidance realizes a time-saving but increases the radiation exposure dosage.     

Unexpected subdiaphragmatic findings on CT of the chest in septic patients after cardiac surgery

AIM: to draw the attention to upper abdominal abnormalities, which may be revealed incidentally in patients referred for a chest computed tomography (CT) after cardiac surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed prospectively and retrospectively the CT results of all patients referred for a chest CT, with suspected sternal infection or for other reasons, after cardiac surgery, to assess possible upper abdominal disease as visualized on lower cuts of the chest CT with abdominal windows. RESULTS: Out of a total of 205 patients in the study 39 (19%) had unexpected abdominal abnormalities. The organs involved in decreasing order of frequency were the spleen (n = 18), gallbladder (n = 15), pancreas (n = 9), kidneys (n = 6) and bowel (n = 3). Many patients had involvement of more than one organ. The lesions were mainly ischaemic and/or infectious in origin. These findings led to interventional procedures in 13 (33%) of the patients with a good outcome. CONCLUSIONS: We found a relatively high prevalence of abdominal abnormalities on CT of the chest in patients referred with suspected thoracic problems after cardiac surgery. Major findings on CT led to changes in the management of these patients. We recommend therefore viewing lung bases with abdominal windows as well as adding sections through the upper abdomen in patients who are referred for a chest CT after cardiac surgery with suspected thoracic problems.     

Helical and single-slice conventional CT versus electron beam CT for the quantification of coronary artery calcification

OBJECTIVE: We compared electron beam CT with conventional CT to determine the best method for the assessment of the coronary calcium score. We used conventional CT to examine symptomatic and asymptomatic patients suspected of having coronary artery disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred sixty male patients underwent electron beam CT and helical CT with a pitch of 1 (n = 30) and 2 (n = 30) and using a single-slice mode with (n = 50) and without (n = 50) prospective ECG triggering. In another 50 patients, we determined reproducibility for repeated scanning using electron beam CT. For all images, we derived the calcium score according to the Agatston method. We performed regression analysis and determined mean variability. Mean variability was calculated as the ratio of the absolute difference to the mean of the corresponding calcium scores. RESULTS: The correlation coefficients for electron beam CT and all conventional CT modes were very high (range, 0.93-0.98). The mean variability was highest in the helical mode with a pitch of 2 (61.4%) and lowest for the single-slice mode with prospective ECG triggering (25.4%). For repeated electron beam CT, the correlation coefficient and mean variability were 0.99 and 22.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: ECG-triggered single-slice conventional CT had the best agreement with electron beam CT calcium scores.     

Helical CT angiography of stent-grafts in abdominal aortic aneurysms: morphologic changes and complications.

Transfemoral placement of an endovascular stent-graft is increasingly be-ing used as an alternative to surgical repair in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm, especially in high-risk patients. However, complications frequently occur after stent-graft placement. Helical computed tomographic (CT) angiography is a fast, minimally invasive procedure that is quickly becoming the imaging modality of choice for assessment of these complications. Thirty-nine patients who were treated for abdominal aortic aneurysm with stent-graft placement underwent helical CT angiography at routinely scheduled follow-up intervals or whenever complications were suspected. The resulting images were evaluated for the presence, extent, and origin of endovascular leaks. In addition, the position, shape, and patency of the stent-grafts were assessed. Findings included both graft-related (n = 4) and non-graft-related (n = 3) leaks, thrombosis of a graft limb (n = 3), distal migration of the stent-graft (n = 5), angulation of bifurcated stent-grafts distal to the main graft (n = 6), shrinkage of the abdominal aortic aneurysm (n = 7), enlargement of the aneurysm with secondary graft-related leaks (n = 2), and an aortoduodenal fistula (n = 1). Helical CT angiography can depict complications that develop after treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms with endovascular stent-grafts. Long-term follow-up is required to determine the full spectrum and frequency of complications that may develop after initially successful repair.