title: Multislice CT virtual angioscopy of the abdomen.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Computed tomographic (CT) angiography represents an important clinical tool in the evaluation of vascular disorders. Virtual angioscopy can be reconstructed with volumetric CT data sets. We evaluated the feasibility and clinical value of this application in the assessment of abdominal vessels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data sets of CT angiographic studies obtained with helical (n = 120) and multislice (n = 180) CT scanners were analyzed on a workstation for postprocessing. Vascular evaluation was done on conventional enhanced axial images, three-dimensional reconstructions, and virtual angioscopic images.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We made 123 studies in patients without aortic disease. Of the patients evaluated for stent-graft treatment, 63 showed normal patency, seven had partial thrombosis of the stent-graft, five showed total occlusion of the stent-graft, and 10 had leaks. From the 92 remaining CT studies, 63 vascular aneurysms and nine dissections were diagnosed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current technology produces high-quality virtual angioscopic images. Although axial and multiplanar views are usually adequate for detecting a vascular disorder, virtual angioscopic views better define anatomic details.
authors.affiliation: Diagnóstico Maipú, Alsina 30, San Isidro, 1642 Buenos Aires, Argentina. investigacion@diagnosticomaipu.com.ar
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carrascosa
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Capuñay
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vembar
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ciancibello
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carrascosa
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000098:blood supply*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000175:diagnosis; D017546:Angioscopy / Q000379:methods*; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000175:diagnosis; D001027:Aortography; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging