Value of 3D-volume rendering in the assessment of coronary arteries with retrospectively ECG-gated multislice spiral CT.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the diagnostic value and measurement precision of 3D volume rendering technique (3D-VRT) from retrospectively ECG-gated multislice spiral CT (MSCT) data sets for imaging of the coronary arteries.


METHODS
In 35 patients, retrospectively ECG-gated MSCT of the heart using a four detector row MSCT scanner with a standardized examination protocol was performed as well as quantitative X-ray coronary angiography (QCA). The MSCT data was assessed on segmental basis using 3D-VRT exclusively. The coronary artery diameters were measured at the origin of each main coronary branch and 1 cm, 3 cm and 5 cm distally. The minimum, maximum and mean diameters were determined from MSCT angiography and compared to QCA.


RESULTS
A total of 353 of 525 (67.2%) coronary artery segments were assessable by MSCT angiography. The proximal segments were more often assessable when compared to the distal segments. Stenoses were detected with a sensitivity of 82.6% and a specificity of 92.8%. According to the Bland-Altman method the mean differences between QCA and MSCT ranged from -0.55 to 1.07 mm with limits of agreement from -2.2 mm to -2.7 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
When compared to QCA, the ability of 3D-VRT to quantitatively assess coronary artery diameters and coronary artery stenoses is insufficient for clinical purposes.
Mahnken
A H
AH
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Technology, Aachen, Germany. mahnken@rad.rwth-aachen.de
Wildberger
J E
JE
Sinha
A M
AM
Dedden
K
K
Stanzel
S
S
Hoffmann
R
R
Schmitz-Rode
T
T
Günther
R W
RW
D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015607:Stents; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*