Applications of spiral CT in endovascular aortic interventions

Spiral computed tomography (CT) and three dimensional (3D) CT angiography h ave rapidly emerged as essential imaging studies in the evaluation of patie nts undergoing endovascular interventions for aortic aneurysms and dissecti ons. Its major advantages are the ability to provide excellent spatial reso lution of the aorta and major branch vessels prior to intervention, detecti on of subtle perigraft leaks following stent-graft treatment of aortic aneu rysms, and providing detailed assessment of intimal flap anatomy in acute a ortic dissections. The purpose of this article is to describe the technique and application of spiral CT before and after endovascular repair of aorti c aneurysms and dissections based upon the 5-year clinical experience at St anford University.