Angioarchitecture of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations: clinical utility of three-dimensional helical CT.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical utility of three-dimensional (3D) helical computed tomography (CT) in pretherapy evaluation of the angioarchitecture of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs).


METHODS
Thirty-seven PAVMs were prospectively evaluated with both helical CT and pulmonary angiography. Single-threshold shaded-surface displays were obtained with 2- or 5-mm section thickness, a pitch of 1, and a 360 degrees linear interpolation algorithm but without injection of contrast medium.


RESULTS
A reliable analysis of the angioarchitecture of 28 PAVMs (76%)--25 simple and three complex--was provided by 3D reconstructions; combined interpretation of 3D images and transverse sections led to accurate evaluation of 35 PAVMs (95%). Positioning of the target anatomy in the reconstructed volume, threshold value, number of stacked sections, and section thickness influenced the diagnostic information.


CONCLUSIONS
Unenhanced 3D helical CT appears to be a reliable noninvasive tool for pretherapy evaluation of PAVMs.
Remy
J
J
Department of Radiology, Hôpital Calmette, Lille, France.
Remy-Jardin
M
M
Giraud
F
F
Wattinne
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods