Clinical integration of three-dimensional helical CT angiography into academic radiology: results of a focused survey.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to determine whether three-dimensional helical CT angiography has become part of current academic radiology practice.


METHODS
A 19-part questionnaire was sent to the 83 members of the Society of Computed Body Tomography and Magnetic Resonance residing in the United States. The survey consisted of questions addressing the current use of CT angiography, including the number of CT angiographic studies performed weekly, the most common indications for using CT angiography, and the current techniques used for CT angiography. Information about the dose, timing, and types of IV contrast agents used was also requested. Results were limited to the responses of physicians practicing at academic centers.


RESULTS
Responses were received from 39 members on staff at academic centers. These 39 members represent 67% (31/46) of the institutions surveyed, 87% (27/31) of which are from institutions that perform CT angiography. At 37% of these 27 institutions, more than 10 CT angiographic procedures are performed a week. Evaluation of the abdominal aorta is the most common indication for CT angiography. Of the 27 institutions performing CT angiography, 85% (23/27) use nonionic contrast agents exclusively for CT angiography. All 27 institutions use a separate workstation for CT angiography. Combinations of rendering algorithms (i.e., shaded-surface display, maximum intensity projection, volume rendering, and multiplanar reconstructions) are used at 25 (93%) of the 27 institutions for creating CT angiograms.


CONCLUSIONS
CT angiography has become integrated into academic radiology practice, with 27 (87%) of the 31 academic institutions surveyed performing CT angiography and 10 (37%) of the 27 institutions performing more than 10 CT angiographic examinations a week.
Smith
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PA
Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Fishman
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D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States
D003287:Contrast Media