Image assessment with multislice CT coronary angiography.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of two different protocols for image evaluation used in multislice computed tomography coronary angiography (MSCT-CA).


METHODS
Sixty patients with suspected coronary artery disease undergoing conventional coronary angiography (CA) were enrolled for MSCT-CA. All patients underwent 16-row MSCT (Sensation 16, Siemens, Germany) with the following parameters: detector rows 16, collimation 0.75 mm, gantry rotation time 375 ms. Two independent observers assessed the images for significant stenosis using a a protocol with standard projections and a three-dimensional protocol. The diagnostic accuracy for both methods was calculated using quantitative CA as a reference standard.


RESULTS
The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value obtained with the conventional projection protocol and with three-dimensional protocol were: 54% and 93%, 97% and 97%, 76% and 86%, 92% and 99%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Conventional projections in the assessment of MSCT-CA provide insufficient diagnostic accuracy compared with three-dimensional processing.
Cademartiri
Filippo
F
Dipartimento di Radiologia, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. filippocademartiri@hotmail.com
Marano
Riccardo
R
Luccichenti
Giacomo
G
Mollet
Nico
N
Runza
Giuseppe
G
Galia
Massimo
M
Belgrano
Manuel
M
Gualerzi
Massimo
M
Brambilla
Lorenzo
L
Coruzzi
Paolo
P
Midiri
Massimo
M
D003287:Contrast Media; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D003287:Contrast Media; C057937:iomeprol; D007479:Iopamidol