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| Clinical relevance of dual source CT angiography in the detection of visceral artery aneurysms |
| WU Xin-sheng, ZHANG Long-jiang, ZHOU Chang-sheng, LUO Song, LU Guang-ming |
| Department of Medical Imaging, Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command, PLA, Nanjing 210002, China |
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Abstract Objective: To quantitatively evaluate the clinical value of contrast-enhanced axial CT images and post-processing CT images at dual source CT in the detection of visceral artery aneurysms. Methods: Fourteen patients with visceral artery aneurysms demonstrated by dual source CT angiography were retrospectively analyzed. Two well-experienced radiologists evaluated the axial and post-processing images, they knew the patients’ history but not the location and numbers of aneurysms. Location and numbers of aneurysms were recorded if one or more aneurysms in a vessel were found, it was regarded as positive. With the comprehensive diagnosis as reference standard, the sensitivity and specificity of enhanced axial images and post-processing images to detect aneurysms were calculated. The time to draw a conclusion for the enhanced axial images and post-processing images was recorded and analyzed. Results: Of the 14 patients, aneurysms were found in 23 vessels and 61 vessels had no aneurysms. With the comprehensive diagnosis as reference standard, axial images correctly diagnosed 17 vessels with aneurysms, 4 false positive vessels, 6 false negative vessels, and 61 true negative vessels, corresponding to sensitivity and specificity of 74% and 93%. Post-processing images correctly diagnosed all aneurysms in 23 vessels and 61 vessels have no aneurysms, corresponding to sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 100%. Axial images under- or over-diagnosed more aneurysms than post-processing images. The analyzing time of axial images[(58.5±15.6)s] was longer than that[(30.6±8.2)s] of the post-processing images(P＜0.001). Conclusions: Dual source CT angiography, especially VR and MIP, can clearly visualize the morphology, location, and number of visceral artery aneurysms. It has an important value in the detection of small aneurysms and definitive diagnosis and clinical management and saving reading time.
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Received: 16 August 2010
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Corresponding Authors:
LU Guang-ming
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2011, Vol. 22 
