Spiral CT angiography for preoperative planning in patients with epigastric tumors: comparison with arteriography.
OBJECTIVE
Spiral CT angiography (CTA) was performed on 22 patients for the preoperative assessment of epigastric tumors in comparison with intraarterial angiography.


METHODS
One hundred fifty milliliters of contrast material was administered with a flow of 4 ml/s. After a delay of 30 s, a spiral CT examination of the epigastrium was performed (slice thickness 3 mm, table feed 6 mm/s). Axial images were reconstructed at 2 mm increments. Postprocessing was performed with a maximum intensity projection and shaded surface display imaging program. Plain film arteriography was performed via a catheter inserted transfemorally and placed into the epigastric arteries. The following parameters were evaluated: visualization of the arteries and the portal vein and involvement of these vessels by disease.


RESULTS
The vessels (22/22 = 100%) and variations (1/22 = 4.5%) were clearly identified with both techniques. Involvement was diagnosed by angiography 15 times compared with 22 findings by CTA.


CONCLUSIONS
Concerning vessel anatomy, the correlation between both techniques was excellent and vessel involvement showed good correlation, especially when using the axial slices additionally. CTA has the potential to become a minimally invasive diagnostic tool for preoperative planning in epigastric tumors.
Freund
M
M
Department of Radiology, University of Kiel, Germany.
Wesner
F
F
Reibe
F
F
Emde
L
L
Hutzelmann
A
A
Heller
M
M
D000005:Abdomen / Q000098:blood supply; D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002445:Celiac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods