Ultra-low-dose non-contrast CT and CT angiography can be used interchangeably for assessing maximal abdominal aortic diameter

Jens Borgbjerg*, Heidi S Christensen, Rozh Al-Mashhadi, Martin Bøgsted, Jens B Frøkjær, Lise Medrud, Nis Elbrønd Larsen, Jes S Lindholt

*Kontaktforfatter

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

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Abstract

Background: Routine CT scans may increasingly be used to document normal aortic size and to detect incidental abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Purpose: To determine whether ultra-low-dose non-contrast CT (ULDNC-CT) can be used instead of the gold standard CT angiography (CTA) for assessment of maximal abdominal aortic diameter.

Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 50 patients who underwent CTA and a normal-dose non-contrast CT for suspected renal artery stenosis. ULDNC-CT datasets were generated from the normal-dose non-contrast CT datasets using a simulation technique. Using the centerline technique, radiology consultants (n = 4) and residents (n = 3) determined maximal abdominal aortic diameter. The limits of agreement with the mean (LOAM) was used to access observer agreement. LOAM represents how much a measurement by a single observer may plausibly deviate from the mean of all observers on the specific subject.

Results: Observers completed 1400 measurements encompassing repeated CTA and ULDNC-CT measurements. The mean diameter was 24.0 and 25.0 mm for CTA and ULDNC-CT, respectively, yielding a significant but minor mean difference of 1.0 mm. The 95% LOAM reproducibility was similar for CTA and ULDNC-CT (2.3 vs 2.3 mm). In addition, the 95% LOAM and mean diameters were similar for CTA and ULDNC-CT when observers were grouped as consultants and residents.

Conclusions: Ultra-low-dose non-contrast CT exhibited similar accuracy and reproducibility of measurements compared with CTA for assessing maximal abdominal aortic diameter supporting that ULDNC-CT can be used interchangeably with CTA in the lower range of aortic sizes.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftActa Radiologica Open
Vol/bind11
Udgave nummer10
Sider (fra-til)1-9
Antal sider9
ISSN2058-4601
DOI
StatusUdgivet - okt. 2022

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© The Author(s) 2022.

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