Accuracy and reliability of quantitative measurements in coronary arteriesby multi-slice computed tomography: Experimental and initial clinical results

AIM: To evaluate the accuracy of non-invasive measurements within coronary arteries by multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT), We present experimental as web as clinical data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Silicon tubes simulating coronary arteries (outer di ameter 6 mm, lumen diameter within stenotic area 2 mm) were used for experi mental studies. Clinical data were derived from 15 patients in whom vessel diameters were assessed by MSCT, intracoronary ultrasound (ICUS) and quanti tative coronary angiography (QCA). MSCT were performed in a Somatom Volume Zoom (TM) CT system (Siemens, Forchheim, Germany) at 2 collimated slice wid ths (2.5 mm, 1.0 mm). RESULTS: Outer silicon tube diameters were overestimated by MSCT (6.56 mm /- 0.32 mm), All measurements revealed significantly better results on 1.0 collimation compared to 2.5 mm collimation (outer diameter: 6.36 mm +/- 0.2 2 mm vs 6.76 mm +/- 0.27 mm, P < 0,0001; lumen diameters: 1.83 mm +/- 0.14 mm vs 1.51 mm +/- 0.19 mm, P < 0.0001). The comparison of vessel diameters within human coronary arteries revealed comparable results between ICUS and MSCT (4.89 mm +/- 0.67 mm vs 4.91 mm +/- 0.71 mm, P = 0,79, v = 0.79, P < 0,0001). QCA-measurements showed significantly lower results (3.67 +/- 0.71 , P < 0.0001, r = 0.62, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Experimental as web as initial clinical results indicate accep table reliability and accuracy of quantitative measurements by MSCT, when u sing thin collimated slice widths. Partial volume effects lead to a systema tic overestimation of vessel size. MSCT has the potential to become an impo rtant non-invasive diagnostic tool in patients with coronary artery disease . (C) 2001 The Royal College of Radiologists.