Carotid artery wall thickness: comparison between sonography and multi-detector row CT angiography.
BACKGROUND
Prospective studies have shown that an increased thickness of the carotid wall is a significant predictor of coronary and cerebrovascular complications. Our purpose was to assess the agreement between multi-detector row computed tomography (CT) angiography (MDCTA) and colour Doppler ultrasound (CD-US) in measuring carotid artery wall thickness (CAWT) and the intima-media thickness (IMT).


METHODS
Altogether, 97 subjects (age range 64-84 years) were prospectively analysed using a four-detector row CT and a sonographic scanner. In total, 46 subjects had shown cerebral ischaemic symptoms. CAWT and IMT were measured in each patient using MDCTA and CD-US (by applying a digital calliper), respectively. Continuous data were described as the mean value +/- standard deviation and were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. A p value <0.05 was considered significant. Bland-Altman statistics was employed to measure the agreement between MDCTA and CD-US.


RESULTS
CAWT ranged from 0.5 to 1.53 mm, with a mean value of 0.9072 mm. IMT ranged from 0.46 to 1.5 mm, with a mean value of 0.8839 mm. By analysing the Bland-Altman plot, we observed an excellent agreement between CD-US and MDCTA with a bias between methods of 0.023 +/- 0.0424 mm. A limit of agreement from -0.06 to 0.106 was recorded. Correlation coefficient r was 0.9855 (95% confidence interval 0.9808-0.989). Mann-Whitney U test indicated a p value of 0.377.


CONCLUSIONS
Obtained results indicated a significant agreement between MDCTA and CD-US in the measurement of CAWT and IMT.
Saba
Luca
L
Department of Radiology, Policlinico Universitario, University of Cagliari, s.s. 554 Monserrato, Cagliari 09045, Italy. lucasaba@tiscali.it
Sanfilippo
Roberto
R
Montisci
Roberto
R
Mallarini
Giorgio
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*