One-stop scanning of head and neck arteries and the aorta using 256-slice spiral CT

Abstract:

Objective：To investigate the feasibility of one-stop scanning of head and neck arteries and the aorta. Methods：A retro－spective analysis was performed for 40 patients who underwent head and neck computed tomography（CT） angiography（CTA） and thoracic and abdominal CTA. These patients were divided into group A and group B according to the scanning method. Group A underwent one-stop scanning of head and neck arteries and the thoracic and abdominal aorta，while group B underwent head and neck CTA and thoracic and abdominal CTA separately. Subjective scoring and objective statistical analysis were performed on the images obtained in the two groups. Results：CTA images of both groups met the diagnostic requirements. There was no significant difference in CT value between the two groups（P>0.05）. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in contrast-to-noise ratio（CNR） or standard deviation（SD） of the aortic arch，the abdominal aorta，and the common iliac artery（P>0.05）. Compared with group A，group B had significantly higher CNR of the middle cerebral artery，the vertebral artery，and the common carotid artery and significantly lower SD of these arteries（P<0.05）. There was no significant difference in SD of the aortic arch，the abdominal aorta，and the common iliac artery between the two groups（P>0.05）. Group A had a significantly lower dose of contrast agent than group B（104.70±10.62） mL vs. （146.10±12.48） mL，t=-11.297，P<0.001]. Conclusion：Head and neck CTA combined with thoracic and abdominal CTA can meet the needs for diagnosis，reduce examination times and the dose of contrast agent，and optimize the examination process.