Prospective assessment of carotid bifurcation disease with spiral CT angiography in surface shaded display (SSD)-technique.

PURPOSE

To decide, whether spiral CT-angiography (CTA) in surface display (SSD)-technique is suitable for accurate quantification of carotid artery stenoses.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty-four patients (25 male, 19 females) with a total of 80 symptomatic carotid artery were studied prospectively with selective cerebral angiography and spiral CTA in SSD-technique. The degree of stenosis was determined according to the NASCET-study.

RESULTS

Assessment of the degree of stenoses with CTA and angiography was the same in 36% of mild stenoses, in 64% of moderate stenoses, in 68% of severe stenoses, and in 95% of the occluded internal carotid arteries. Overall, CTA in SSD-technique showed equivalent results as selective cerebral angiography in 65% of all cases.

CONCLUSION

Spiral CTA in SSD-technique is inferior to selective cerebral angiography. Calcified plaques, vessel opacification and thresholding influence the most grading of stenosis.