The application of spiral CT angiography in postoperative re-examination of lower limb artery stent implantation / 介入放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss the application of spiral CT angiography in postoperative re-examination of lower limb artery stent implantation. Methods During the period from March 2012 to March 2014 at the Affiliated Nanjing Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, CT angiography was carried out in 67 patients who had received stent implantation for arteriosclerotic occlusion of lower limb. The diseases involved 78 lower limbs, and a total of 85 stents were employed. The volume rendering (VR), maximum intensity projection (MIP), multi-planar reformation (MPR) and curved surface reconstruction (CSR) were performed to stereoscopically display the lesion’s anatomy as well as the implanted stents, and the imaging manifestations were compared with the clinical symptoms and DSA findings. Results Successful examination was accomplished in 65 patients (81 stents in total), and clear images were obtained. Of the 81 stents, no stenosis was seen in 43, Ⅱ - Ⅳ grade stenosis in 32 and complete occlusion in 6. The results were closely correlated with the clinical symptoms. The CT angiography manifestations in 31 patients (34 stents in total) were compared with their DSA performed in two weeks, and the results showed that the stenotic degrees of three stents judged by CT angiography were not consistent with those judged by DSA. The consistent rate of CT angiography was 91.2% when taking DSA as the standard. Conclusion Lower limb arterial CT angiography examination is a safe and non-invasive technique, it can clearly display the stent inner canal. Therefore, this technique is of great value in postoperative re- examination of lower limb artery stent implantation.