Detection and follow-up of important extra-arterial lesions with helical CT angiography

Douglas S. Katz, Mark J. Jorgensen, Geoffrey D. Rubin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

AIM: To determine the prevalence and significance of extra-arterial findings detected prospectively on helical computed tomographic angiography (CTA). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The official reports of 802 consecutive CTAs performed over a 4.5-year period on 624 patients and the reports of all radiographic follow-up studies were reviewed for identification of important extra-arterial findings. Medical records and imaging studies of all patients with previously unknown extra-arterial findings on CTA were reviewed to assess follow-up. In cases where follow-up was not indicated in the medical record, referring physicians were contacted directly. RESULTS: Important, previously unknown, extra-arterial findings were detected on 35 CTAs (4.4% of all CTAs, 5.6% of all patients), with 33 of 35 detected prospectively. Six lesions were consistent with and/or proven to be malignant. Important non-tumoural lesions were discovered on nine CTAs. Of 13 lesions with imaging features that were suspicious for malignancy. Five of these lesions proved to be benign, but radiographic and/or clinical follow-up was not obtained or could not be documented in eight patients. CONCLUSION: With the increasing use of CTA as a replacement for conventional angiography, careful attention should be paid to the visualized extra-arterial structures. Extra-vascular findings that are believed to be significant, may not be adequately followed-up by referring vascular specialists.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)294-300
Number of pages7
JournalClinical Radiology
Volume54
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Angiography
  • Computed tomography
  • Effectiveness

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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