SPIRAL CT ANGIOGRAPHY IN THE ASSESSMENT OF ABDOMINAL AORTIC-ANEURYSMSAFTER STENT GRAFTING - VALUE OF MAXIMUM INTENSITY PROJECTIONS

Purpose: Our goal was to evaluate the value of maximum intensity proje ctions (MIPs) rendered from spiral CT in the assessment of abdominal a ortic aneurysms after stent graft implantation. Method: Spiral CT of t he aorta was performed in 25 patients 1 week after implantation of cov ered aortic stent grafts. MIPs were evaluated in a blinded fashion. Tr ansaxial scans and intravenous angiographs were considered the referen ce standard. Results: Stent deformity was evident on the MIPs in 5 cas es and stent angulation was seen in 24 cases. The excluded aneurysmal sac was visualized in 14 (50%) cases. MIPs depicted the patent inferio r mesenteric artery in 20 of 23 cases (87%). Renal artery occlusion (n = 3), leaks (n = 8), and parietal thrombi (n = 3) were detected on th e MIPs in all cases. Conclusion: MIPs are a valuable tool in the asses sment of aortic stent grafts.