HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) CME Test (opens in a new window) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lell, M. M. Articles by Tomandl, B. F. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Lell, M. M. Articles by Tomandl, B. F. Related Collections Neuroradiology Computed Tomography

New Techniques in CT Angiography¹

¹ From the Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (M.M.L.); the Department of Radiology (M.M.L., K.A., M.U., W.A.B.) and Computer Graphics Group (F.V.H.), University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Maximiliansplatz 1, 91054 Erlangen, Germany; Siemens Medical Solutions, Forchheim, Germany (E.K., H.D.); the MeVis Center for Medical Diagnostic Systems and Visualization, Bremen, Germany (T.B.); and the Department of Neuroradiology, Klinikum-Bremen-Mitte, Bremen, Germany (B.F.T.). Presented as an education exhibit at the 2005 RSNA Annual Meeting. Received February 7, 2006; revision requested April 13 and received May 8; accepted May 17. E.K., H.D., and F.V.H. are employees of Siemens Medical Solutions; T.B. receives research support from Siemens Medical Solutions; all other authors have no financial relationships to disclose. Address correspondence to M.M.L. (e-mail: michael.lell{at}idr.imed.uni-erlangen.de).

Computed tomographic (CT) angiography has been improved significantly with the introduction of four- to 64-section spiral CT scanners, which offer rapid acquisition of isotropic data sets. A variety of techniques have been proposed for postprocessing of the resulting images. The most widely used techniques are multiplanar reformation (MPR), thin-slab maximum intensity projection, and volume rendering. Sophisticated segmentation algorithms, vessel analysis tools based on a centerline approach, and automatic lumen boundary definition are emerging techniques; bone removal with thresholding or subtraction algorithms has been introduced. These techniques increasingly provide a quality of vessel analysis comparable to that achieved with intraarterial three-dimensional rotational angiography. Neurovascular applications for these various image postprocessing methods include steno-occlusive disease, dural sinus thrombosis, vascular malformations, and cerebral aneurysms. However, one should keep in mind the potential pitfalls of these techniques and always double-check the final results with source or MPR imaging.

© RSNA, 2006

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. W. Anderson, B. R. Foster, and J. A. Soto Upper Extremity CT Angiography in Penetrating Trauma: Use of 64-Section Multidetector CT Radiology, December 1, 2008; 249(3): 1064 - 1073. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. H. Rodallec, V. Marteau, S. Gerber, L. Desmottes, and M. Zins Craniocervical Arterial Dissection: Spectrum of Imaging Findings and Differential Diagnosis RadioGraphics, October 1, 2008; 28(6): 1711 - 1728. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]