Multidetector-row CT Angiography of Lower Extremities: Usefulness in the Diagnosis of and Intervention for Peripheral Arterial Disease

Abstract

CT angiography (CTA) based on the data acquired by multidetector-row CT (MDCT) is an established, minimally invasive modality for imaging peripheral arteries. CTA has been used to assess peripheral arterial disease before treatment, and it has replaced conventional angiography for the diagnostic evaluation of peripheral arteries. MDCT can optimize both the long scan length and spatial resolution. CTA using MDCT depicts the fine structures of vessels. Recently, automated CTA analysis software has been developed for measurement of the vascular lumen. The software can automatically measure the diameters of short axial sections at the post-processing workstation. Measurement of the vascular lumen is useful in the planning of intravascular treatment for peripheral arterial disease. CTA is also utilized in assessing the intravascular lumen after metallic stent placement.