J. Link et al., PROSPECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF CAROTID BIFURCATION DISEASE WITH SPIRAL CT ANGIOGRAPHY IN SURFACE SHADED DISPLAY (SSD)-TECHNIQUE, Computerized medical imaging and graphics, 19(6), 1995, pp. 451-456
Purpose: To decide, whether spiral CT-angiography (CTA) in surface sha
ded display (SSD)-technique is suitable for accurate quantification of
carotid artery stenoses. Material and Methods: Forty-four patients (2
5 male, 19 females) with a total of 80 symptomatic carotid artery sten
oses were studied prospectively with selective cerebral angiography an
d spiral CTA in SSD-technique. The degree of stenosis was determined a
ccording to the NASCET-study. Results: Assessment of the degree of ste
noses with CTA and angiography was the same in 36% of mild stenoses, i
n 64% of moderate stenoses, in 68% of severe stenoses, and in 95% of t
he occluded internal carotid arteries. Overall, CTA in SSD-technique s
howed equivalent results as selective cerebral angiography in 65% of a
ll cases. Conclusion: Spiral CTA in SSD-technique is inferior to selec
tive cerebral angiography. Calcified plaques, vessel opacification and
thresholding influence the most grading of stenoses. (C) 1996 Elsevie
r Science Ltd.