Review ArticlesCT Angiography of Peripheral Arterial Disease
Section snippets
SCANNING TECHNIQUE
Peripheral CT angiograms can be obtained with all current multiple–detector row CT scanners (ie, four or more channels). No special hardware is required. With a standardized scanning protocol programmed into the scanner, peripheral CT angiography is a very robust technique for elective and emergency situations. When patients are mobile, the study can easily be performed in 10–15 minutes of room time.
In general, peripheral CT angiography acquisition parameters follow those of abdominal CT
SCANNING PROTOCOL
One or more dedicated peripheral CT angiographic acquisition and contrast medium injection protocol(s) should be established for each scanner and programmed into the scanner. A full scanning protocol consists of (i) the digital radiograph (“scout” image or “topogram”), (ii) an optional non-enhanced acquisition, (iii) one series for a test bolus or bolus triggering, (iv) the actual CT angiography acquisition series, and (v) a second optional “late-phase” CT angiography acquisition (initiated
CURRENT CLINICAL APPLICATIONS
CT angiography is increasingly used at many institutions, such as our own, for imaging the lower-extremity vasculature over a wide range of clinical indications. Evaluation of atherosclerotic steno-occlusive disease and its complications is the main application of CT angiography at our institution. However, congenital abnormalities, traumatic and iatrogenic injuries, inflammatory conditions, drug toxicity, embolic phenomena, and aneurysmal changes can also affect the arteries of the lower
SUMMARY
Peripheral CT angiography has excellent spatial resolution and can show exquisite detail of peripheral vasculature. The current generation of 16- to 64–detector-row CT scanners and the development of refined 3D rendering techniques have made peripheral CT angiography a powerful tool for noninvasive imaging and treatment planning of peripheral arterial disease.
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None of the authors have identified a conflict of interest.