J Korean Med Assoc.  2007 Jan;50(1):25-32. 10.5124/jkma.2007.50.1.25.

MDCT Application in the Vascular System

• Yong HS

• KMID: 2184792
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2007.50.1.25

Abstract

Helical CT has improved with faster gantry rotation, more powerful X-ray tubes, and improved interpolation algorithms; however, the greatest advance has been made by the recent introduction of multi detector-row computed tomography (MDCT) scanners. Fundamental advantages of MDCT include substantially shorter acquisition times, retrospective creation of thinner or thicker sections from the same raw data, and improved threedimensional (3-D) rendering with diminished helical artifacts. While these features will likely be important to many applications of CT scanning, the greatest impact has been on CT angiography. The advantages of MDCT over single detector-row CT scanners when imaging the vascular system can be broken down into three fundamental improvements, that is, speed (faster scan time), distance (longer coverage), and section thickness (better resolution). This article will focus on how the MDCT technology has substantially improved imaging of the vascular system, including pulmonary artery, aorta and extremity vessels.

Keyword

Multi detector-row CT; CT angiography; CT venography

MeSH Terms

Angiography
Aorta
Artifacts
Extremities
Pulmonary Artery
Retrospective Studies
Tomography, Spiral Computed
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Figure

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  Figure 1 CT pulmonary angiography Pulmonary emboli are seen in left pulmonary, lobar, and segmental pulmonary arteries (A, B). Obstructed and enlarged subsegmental pulmonary arteries are seen in right lower lobe (C). Pulmonary arterial hypertension is suggested because contrast material is refluxed into azygos vein and inferior vena cava and right ventricle is enlarged

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  Figure 2 CT aortography. On 3D volume rendered image, atherosclerotic aortic aneurysm is seen on proximal descending thoracic aorta. Diffuse aortic calcification is also seen along the whole aorta

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  Figure 3 Indirect CT venography. Deep vein thrombosis is seen in left iliac, both femoral, right popliteal, and both peroneal veins (arrows)

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