SUPRARENAL AND JUXTARENAL ANEURYSMS OF THE ABDOMINAL-AORTA - PREOPERATIVE ASSESSMENT WITH THIN-SECTION SPIRAL CT

PURPOSE: To assess the contribution of thin-section spiral computed to mography (CT) to the preoperative radiologic evaluation of juxta- and suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-e ight patients (26 men, 12 women; age range, 60-81 years) with infraren al (n = 23), juxtarenal (n = 8), and suprarenal (n = 7) aneurysms unde rwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and 2-mm-collimation spira l CT. Cine-interactive display of overlapping axial, reformatted, and maximum intensity projection images were used for CT image analysis. C T findings were compared with angiographic and surgical findings. RESU LTS: The proximal extent of the juxta- and suprarenal aneurysms (n = 1 5) could be correctly predicted in 12 cases (80%) with DSA and was exa ctly determined in 14 (93%) with CT. All renal arteries except three a ccessory renal arteries were correctly depicted with spiral CT (83 of 86 [96%]). With DSA as the standard of reference, renal artery stenose s of at least 70% were accurately assessed in 95% of cases. CONCLUSION : Thin-section spiral CT can provide additional information in the pre operative diagnosis of juxta- and suprarenal aneurysms.