title: In vivo evaluation of carotid artery stents using multi-detector-row computed tomography angiography: comparison of 3 kernels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to assess the lumen visibility of carotid artery stents using multi-detector-row computed tomography (MDCT) angiography; compare medium-smooth, medium-sharp, and sharp kernels; and correlate these results to those of digital subtraction angiography (DSA).
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively evaluated 52 stents from 51 patients who underwent 16- and 64-slice MDCT angiography. Lumen diameters were measured 3 times by 2 neuroradiologists, and artificial luminal narrowing was calculated. To assess detection of in-stent restenosis (>50%), 2 neuroradiologists evaluated all MDCT and DSA images.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Excellent intraobserver and interobserver agreements were obtained for the lumen diameter measurements (P < 0.001). Lumen diameter visibility improved, and artificial luminal narrowing decreased from the medium-smooth kernel to the sharp kernel. Visual estimation of all CT angiography using the 3 kernels showed high accuracy for detection of in-stent restenosis (>50%), compared with DSA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Computed tomography angiography using a sharp kernel allows for more accurate assessment of lumen visibility after carotid artery stenting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Bucheon St Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Youn Joo
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yeon Soo
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Na Young
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Won Jong
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Mi Sook
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Myung Hee
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Bum Soo
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015607:Stents