The quality of imaging of the carotid body by the standard protocol for computed tomography angiography of the carotid arteries

Abstract

Background. The clinical significance of the carotid body (CB) has been increasing. Currently, research connected with the CB is focused on establishing the significance of chronically increased activity of the CB in the progression of heart failure and in the genesis of hypertension. Moreover, it has been suggested that cardiac hypertrophy may be associated with an increase in CB volume. Objectives. The aim of study was to assess the quality of imaging the CB by following the standard protocol for computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the carotid arteries. Material and Methods. The analysis includes 50 consecutive CTA examinations of the carotid arteries. A retrospective assessment of the quality of imaging both the right and left CB (rCB and lCB) was carried out for all the CTA examinations of the carotid arteries. Results. The rCB was exposed in 62% and the lCB in 56% of the CTA examinations. None of the CTA examinations analyzed resulted in good or very good quality visualization of the CB. Only 22% of the CTA examinations provided a medium quality rCB image. An even lower ratio of medium-quality visualizations of the lCB was noted: only 14% of the analyzed examinations. In the male sample group, the CB was exposed significantly more often than in the female group. Conclusions. The standard protocol for CTA examinations of the carotid arteries appears to be insufficient for use in assessing the CB.