CURRENT STATUS OF 3-DIMENSIONAL SPIRAL CT SCANNING FOR IMAGING THE VASCULATURE

Three-dimensional CT angiography is a new modality for minimally invas ive vascular imaging. Meticulous attention to technique is critical to optimizing image quality and achieving diagnostic images. In this art icle, the properties of spiral CT acquisitions, intravenous contrast d elivery, and three-dimensional rendering techniques, as they pertain t o the optimization of CT angiograms, are discussed. Next, a review of initial investigations into the clinical applicability of CT angiograp hy in the cranium, neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis is provided. Final ly, CT angiography is compared with MR angiography and conventional an giography.