title: Accuracy of thin-slice computed tomography in the detection of coronary stenoses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to investigate the accuracy of multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) in the detection of significant (>50%) coronary stenosis using a scanner equipped for 16 x 0.625 mm collimation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 64 patients (59 male, mean age 58 +/- 5 years) with suspected coronary artery disease, MSCT (GE Light Speed-16, collimation: 16 x 0.625 mm) was performed 20 +/- 5 days before coronary angiography (CAG). Only angiographic segments >1.5 mm were considered for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all patients, MSCT was carried out without complications. Three patients were excluded from the analysis. Of 729 angiographic segments, 613 (84%) were judged evaluable by MSCT. Considering only the segments judged evaluable, the sensitivity was 89%, specificity 98%, positive predictive value 90%, and negative predictive value 98%. Including all segments in the analysis (evaluable and nonevaluable), sensitivity was 78%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using a scanner with a collimation of 16 x 0.625 mm, our study confirms the potential role of MSCT in the detection of significant coronary stenosis with a sensitivity of 89% and a very high specificity (98%). Exclusion criteria and less than full evaluability of the coronary arteries must still be considered limitations of the method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy. e.martuscelli@libero.it
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martuscelli
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Romagnoli
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Eliseo
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Razzini
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomassini
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sperandio
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simonetti
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Romeo
mesh_terms: D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000592:standards*