Improved visual delineation of the intimal flap in Stanford type A and B dissections at 3rd generation dual-source high-pitch CT angiography.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of the intimal flap visibility comparing 2nd and 3rd generation dual-source high-pitch CT.


METHODS
Twenty-five consecutive patients with aortic dissection underwent CT angiography on a second and third generation dual-source CT scanner using prospective ECG-gated high-pitch dual-source CT acquisition mode. Contrast material, saline flush and flow rate were kept equal for optimum comparability. The visibility of the intimal flap as well as the delineation of the different vascular structures was evaluated.


RESULTS
In 3rd generation dual-source high-pitch CT we could show a significant improvement of intimal flap visibility in aortic dissection. Especially, the far end of the dissection membrane could be better evaluated in 3rd generation high-pitch CT, reaching statistical significance (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
3rd Generation high-pitch CT angiography shows a better delineation of the aortic intimal flap in a small patient cohort, especially in the far ends of the dissection membrane. This might be due to higher tube power in this CT generation. However, to generalise these findings larger trials are needed.
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Haus 23C UG, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany. beeres@gmx.net.
Martin
M
Beeres
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Haus 23C UG, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
Andreas M
AM
Bucher
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Haus 23C UG, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
Julian L
JL
Wichmann
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Haus 23C UG, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
Claudia
C
Frellesen
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Haus 23C UG, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
Jan E
JE
Scholtz
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Haus 23C UG, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
Moritz
M
Albrecht
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Haus 23C UG, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
Boris
B
Bodelle
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Haus 23C UG, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.|Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Cairo University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt.
Nour-Eldin A
NE
Nour-Eldin
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Haus 23C UG, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
Clara
C
Lee
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Haus 23C UG, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
Moritz
M
Kaup
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Haus 23C UG, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
Thomas J
TJ
Vogl
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Haus 23C UG, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
Tatjana
T
Gruber-Rouh
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055424:Cardiac-Gated Imaging Techniques; D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D003287:Contrast Media; C057937:iomeprol; D007479:Iopamidol
Aorta; CT angiography; Dual-source CT; High-pitch CT