The Initial Exploration of Adamkiewicz Artery Computed Tomographic Angiography With Monochromatic Reconstruction of Gemstone Spectral Imaging

Objective: The study aimed to explore whether optimal monochromatic reconstruction can improve the depiction of the Adamkiewicz artery (AKA) on gemstone spectral computed tomographic angiography (GSCTA) compared with the polychromatic reconstruction protocol. Methods: The prospective study was approved by the ethics committee, and written informed consent was obtained from each patient. The 58 consecutive patients suspected of aortic aneurysm or dissection underwent aortic GSCTA. All images were reconstructed with both polychromatic (group A) and optimal monochromatic (group B) protocol. The CT values of the descending aorta and muscle, background noise, and the contrast-to-noise ratio were measured and calculated. With the criterion standard display of AKA, characteristic hairpin curve sign, 2 blinded radiologists analyzed data independently with the paired samples t, χ2, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The CT value of the descending aorta and the contrast-to-noise ratio of group B were significantly superior to group A (t = 12.7, P
Source: Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography - Category: Radiology Tags: Neuroradiology Source Type: research