Diagnostic Value of CT Angiography (CTA) in Carotid Cavernous Fistula (CCF) Patients Using the Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) as The Gold Standard: Observation in Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya from January 2016 to July 2020

Abstract

Introduction: CT angiography (CTA) is the initial modality for diagnosing theCarotid Cavernous Fistula (CCF), identifying the type of CCF, measuring thediameter of the fistula and the diameter of the internal carotid artery (ICA) pre andpost fistula, and then confirmed by Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) as thegold standard. CTA is expected to provide more information to improve theaccuracy of CCF diagnosis to benefit therapy and prevent complications. Thisstudy aimed to determine the diagnostic value of CTA in CCF patients in Dr.Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya, using the DSA as a gold standard. Methods:An observational retrospective study of CCF patients met the inclusion andexclusion criteria and underwent CTA and DSA examinations at the RadiologyInstallation of Dr. Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya, from January 2016 toJuly 2020. Results: In the comparison of types of CCF CTA to DSA, the directgroup was 53.8% and 57.7%, respectively, while the indirect group was 46.1% and42.3% with a very strong correlation (κ = 0.922; p = 0.000), sensitivity was 93.3%,specificity was 100 %, PPV of 100%, NPV of 91.7% and accuracy of 96.15%. Directtype evaluation on the DSA showed a large picture of the fistula diameter; the ICApre fistula's size was enlarged; therefore, the ICA post fistula diameter wasreduced or absent. There was a strong correlation of fistula diametermeasurement results between CTA and DSA (r = 0.695, p = 0.006).Conclusion: CTA has a similarity rate of 92.2% with DSA in identifying the typeof CCF. The accuracy value of CTA is close to DSA in fistula diametermeasurements.