New abdominal CT angiography protocol on a 16 detector-row CT scanner - first results

Purpose. Purpose of this study was the implementation of a new abdominal CT angiography protocol on a 16 detector-row CT scanner and the comparison to selective catheter angiography. Methods. 76 patients with various vascular disorders underwent abdominal CT angiography on a recently developed 16 detector-row CT scanner using submillimeter slice collimation (16×0.75 mm). Results were compared with mesenteric and/or hepatic angiography in 17 patients performed during tumor embolization. Opacification was provided using individually tailored contrast application with a test bolus setting. To evaluate the contrast injection protocol density measurements within the vessel lumen were performed. Results. Diagnostic image quality was achieved in all patients with angiographic comparison (n = 17). Within the hepatic and mesenteric vasculature up to 4th generation vessels could be identified. Compared to selctive angiography CT angiography provided equivalent morphologic information up to the detectable vessel generation. With the applied contrast application regimen there were no significant differences in vessel enhancement along the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries. Conclusion. 16 detector-row CT enables whole abdominal angiographic studies with submillimeter resolution in a single breath-hold. The improved spatial resolution enables for high quality 3D visualization. Compared to invasive angiography, 16 detector-row CT reveals equivalent morphologic information.