Kunihiro Yoshioka1, Ryoichi Tanaka2, Hidenobu Takagi2, Yuta Ueyama3, Kei Kikuchi3, Takuya Chiba3, Kazumasa Arakita4, Joanne D Schuijf5, Yasuo Saito6. 1. Division of Cardiovascular Radiology, Department of Radiology, Iwate Medical University, 19-1 Uchimaru, Morioka, 020-8505, Japan. kyoshi@iwate-med.ac.jp. 2. Division of Cardiovascular Radiology, Department of Radiology, Iwate Medical University, 19-1 Uchimaru, Morioka, 020-8505, Japan. 3. Center for Radiological Science, Iwate Medical University Hospital, 19-1 Uchimaru, Morioka, 020-8505, Japan. 4. Center for Medical Research and Development, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, 1385 Shimoishigami, Otawara, 323-0036, Japan. 5. Center for Medical Research and Development Europe, Toshiba Medical Systems Europe, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands. 6. CT Systems Development Department, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, 1385 Shimoishigami, Otawara, 323-0036, Japan.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Preoperative identification of the artery of Adamkiewicz can help prevent postoperative spinal cord injury following thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic repair. Several studies have demonstrated the feasibility of evaluating the artery of Adamkiewicz using multi-detector row computed tomography (CT), but precise visualization remains a challenge. The present study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of ultra-high-resolution CT for visualizing the artery of Adamkiewicz with a slice thickness of 0.25 versus 0.5 mm in patients with aortic aneurysms. METHODS: Our institutional review board approved this study. Twenty-four patients with thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysms were scanned with beam collimation of 0.25 mm × 128. Images were reconstructed with slice thicknesses of 0.25 and 0.5 mm. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the aorta and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between the anterior spinal artery and spinal cord were measured. Two independent observers evaluated visualization of the artery of Adamkiewicz and its continuity between the anterior spinal artery and the aorta using a four-point scale. RESULTS: No significant differences in the SNR of the aorta or CNR of the anterior spinal artery were observed between 0.25- and 0.5-mm slices. The average visualization score was significantly higher for 0.25-mm slices (3.58 ± 0.78) than for 0.5-mm slices (3.13 ± 0.99) (p = 0.01). The percentage of patients with nondiagnostic image quality was significantly lower for 0.25-mm slices (8.3%) than for 0.5-mm slices (33.3%) (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: In patients with aortic aneurysms, ultra-high-resolution CT with 0.25-mm slices significantly improves visualization of the artery of Adamkiewicz compared to 0.5-mm slices.
PURPOSE: Preoperative identification of the artery of Adamkiewicz can help prevent postoperative spinal cord injury following thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic repair. Several studies have demonstrated the feasibility of evaluating the artery of Adamkiewicz using multi-detector row computed tomography (CT), but precise visualization remains a challenge. The present study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of ultra-high-resolution CT for visualizing the artery of Adamkiewicz with a slice thickness of 0.25 versus 0.5 mm in patients with aortic aneurysms. METHODS: Our institutional review board approved this study. Twenty-four patients with thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysms were scanned with beam collimation of 0.25 mm × 128. Images were reconstructed with slice thicknesses of 0.25 and 0.5 mm. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the aorta and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between the anterior spinal artery and spinal cord were measured. Two independent observers evaluated visualization of the artery of Adamkiewicz and its continuity between the anterior spinal artery and the aorta using a four-point scale. RESULTS: No significant differences in the SNR of the aorta or CNR of the anterior spinal artery were observed between 0.25- and 0.5-mm slices. The average visualization score was significantly higher for 0.25-mm slices (3.58 ± 0.78) than for 0.5-mm slices (3.13 ± 0.99) (p = 0.01). The percentage of patients with nondiagnostic image quality was significantly lower for 0.25-mm slices (8.3%) than for 0.5-mm slices (33.3%) (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: In patients with aortic aneurysms, ultra-high-resolution CT with 0.25-mm slices significantly improves visualization of the artery of Adamkiewicz compared to 0.5-mm slices.
Authors: Gino Gialdini; Neal S Parikh; Abhinaba Chatterjee; Michael P Lerario; Hooman Kamel; Darren B Schneider; Babak B Navi; Santosh B Murthy; Costantino Iadecola; Alexander E Merkler Journal: Stroke Date: 2017-06-27 Impact factor: 7.914
Authors: K Murayama; S Suzuki; H Nagata; J Oda; I Nakahara; K Katada; K Fujii; H Toyama Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2019-12-19 Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: Frederick J A Meijer; Joanne D Schuijf; Joost de Vries; Hieronymus D Boogaarts; Willem-Jan van der Woude; Mathias Prokop Journal: Insights Imaging Date: 2019-01-28