title: New techniques in CT angiography.
abstract: Computed tomographic (CT) angiography has been improved significantly with the introduction of four- to 64-section spiral CT scanners, which offer rapid acquisition of isotropic data sets. A variety of techniques have been proposed for postprocessing of the resulting images. The most widely used techniques are multiplanar reformation (MPR), thin-slab maximum intensity projection, and volume rendering. Sophisticated segmentation algorithms, vessel analysis tools based on a centerline approach, and automatic lumen boundary definition are emerging techniques; bone removal with thresholding or subtraction algorithms has been introduced. These techniques increasingly provide a quality of vessel analysis comparable to that achieved with intraarterial three-dimensional rotational angiography. Neurovascular applications for these various image postprocessing methods include steno-occlusive disease, dural sinus thrombosis, vascular malformations, and cerebral aneurysms. However, one should keep in mind the potential pitfalls of these techniques and always double-check the final results with source or MPR imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, USA. michael.lell@idr.imed.uni-erlangen.de
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Lell
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Anders
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uder
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Klotz
authors.forename: Hendrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ditt
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vega-Higuera
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boskamp
authors.forename: Werner A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Bautz
authors.forename: Bernd F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Tomandl
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000792:Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D006801:Humans; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*