Helical CT Angiography of Aortic Stent Grafting: Comparison of Three-Dimensional Rendering Techniques

Abstract

We aim to compare various 3D reconstruction techniques in the visualization of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) treated with suprarenal stent grafts. 28 patients with AAA undergoing suprarenal fixation of aortic stent grafts were included in the study. Volumetric CT data were postprocessed with Analyze V 5.0 and four different 3D visualization methods were generated including shaded surface display (SSD), maximum intensity projection (MIP), volume rendering (VR) and virtual endoscopy (VE). Selection of CT threshold, time required for generation of 3D images as well as demonstration of 3D relationship between aortic stents and ostium were assessed in each method. Results showed that VR was found to be the most efficient 3D technique in the visualization of aortic stent grafts as well its relationship to the renal artery. VE was found to be particularly useful in demonstrating the encroachment of stent struts to the renal arteries. © Springer-Verlag 2004.