title: Comparison of lower extremity atherosclerosis in diabetic and non-diabetic patients using multidetector computed tomography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lower extremity atherosclerosis (LEA) is among the most serious diabetic complications and leads to non-traumatic amputations. The recently developed dual-source CT (DSCT) and 320- multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) may help to detect plaques more precisely. The aim of our study was to evaluate the differences in LEA between diabetic and non-diabetic patients using MDCT angiography.
  
  
  METHODS
  DSCT and 320-MDCT angiographies of the lower extremities were performed in 161 patients (60 diabetic and 101 non-diabetic). The plaque type, distribution, shape and obstructive natures were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with non-diabetic patients, diabetic patients had higher peripheral neuropathy, history of cerebrovascular infarction and hypertension rates. A total of 2898 vascular segments were included in the analysis. Plaque and stenosis were detected in 681 segments in 60 diabetic patients (63.1%) and 854 segments in 101 non-diabetic patients (46.9%; p <0.05). Regarding these plaques, diabetic patients had a higher incidence of mixed plaques (34.2% vs. 27.1% for non-diabetic patients). An increased moderate stenosis rate and decreased occlusion rate were observed in diabetic patients relative to non-diabetic patients (35.8% vs. 28.3%; and 6.6% vs. 11.4%; respectively). In diabetic patients, 362 (53.2%) plaques were detected in the distal lower leg segments, whereas in non-diabetic patients, 551 (64.5%) plaques were found in the proximal upper leg segments. The type IV plaque shape, in which the full lumen was involved, was detected more frequently in diabetic patients than in non-diabetic patients (13.1% vs. 8.2%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diabetes is associated with a higher incidence of plaque, increased incidence of mixed plaques, moderate stenosis and localisation primarily in the distal lower leg segments. The advanced and non-invasive MDCT could be used for routine preoperative evaluations of LEA.
authors.forename: Ci
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Jin-gang
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yun-ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rong
authors.forename: Fei-zhou
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Zhi-gang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610083, China. guming18@sina.com.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index