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 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.