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[Double-helical CT pitfall: the native hyperdense basilar artery]
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Radiologie, Abt. Röntgendiagnostik, Ulm. reinhard.tomczak@medizin.uni-ulm.de
Rontgenpraxis; Zeitschrift Fur Radiologische Technik
|May 10, 2000
Summary
Hyperdense basilar artery on computed tomography (CT) scans may not indicate thrombosis in asymptomatic patients when using thin, fused slices. This study evaluated the diagnostic significance of these findings on double-helical CT.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Basilar artery thrombosis can present as hyperdense visualization on unenhanced computed tomography (CT).
- This finding can also appear in asymptomatic individuals scanned with double-helical CT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic significance of hyperdense basilar artery findings on double-helical CT.
- To determine if hyperdensity on CT accurately indicates basilar artery thrombosis in asymptomatic patients.
Main Methods:
- Ten patients underwent double-helical CT of the skull base.
- Both 5-mm and 10-mm fused slices were acquired.
- Vessel patency was confirmed with contrast-enhanced imaging.
Main Results:
- A median attenuation difference of 11 HU was observed between 5-mm and 10-mm fused slices in native scans.
- Contrast-enhanced studies confirmed patency of the visualized vessels, indicating no thrombosis.
Conclusions:
- The hyperdense basilar artery sign is not a reliable indicator of thrombotic occlusion when using thin, fused slices on double-helical CT.
- These imaging techniques may lead to false positives for basilar artery thrombosis.