Role of multi-slice computed tomography angiography in the diagnosis of visceral artery aneurysms.

Abstract

To evaluate the value of multi-slice computed tomography angiography (MSCTA) in the diagnosis of visceral artery aneurysms (VAA). The imaging data of 123 VAA patients who received abdominal contrasted CT and MSCTA on the PACS workstation in our department from May 2008 to October 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the findings of comprehensive evaluation and using vessels as the analytic unit, we evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of enhanced axial images and post-processing images in detect the VAA. Totally 172 VAAs were found in these 123 patients by the comprehensive evaluation, among which 107 were diagnosed by MSCTA.The results included 91 splenic artery aneurysms, 16 renal artery aneurysms, 8 multi-visceral artery aneurysms, 2 gastric artery aneurysms, 2 superior mesenteric artery aneurysms, 1 celiac trunk aneurysm, 1 gastroduodenal artery aneurysm, 1 pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm, and 1 hepatic artery aneurysm. The sensitivity and specificity of MSCTA in diagnosing TAA was 100% and 100%, respectively. With different reconstruction methods, MSCTA can accurately and clearly display the location, shape, extent, aneurysmal wall, parent artery, and relationship with the adjacent vessels of VAAs.