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Virtual CT cholangiography in patients with choledocholithiasis
P Maniatis1, C Triantopoulou, E Sofianou
1Department of Computed Tomography, General Hospital "Konstantopoulio Agia Olga", Agias Olgas 3-5, New Ionia 14233, Athens, Greece.
Abdominal Imaging
|October 29, 2003
Summary
Virtual computed tomographic cholangiography (VCTC) shows feasibility for detecting bile duct stones and variations. This imaging technique offers accurate results in selected patients, aiding in diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Evaluating virtual computed tomographic cholangiography (VCTC) for detecting choledocholithiasis.
- Assessing VCTC's accuracy in imaging biliary tree anatomic variations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the feasibility and accuracy of VCTC.
- To compare VCTC findings with established diagnostic methods.
Main Methods:
- 33 patients with suspected choledocholithiasis underwent spiral CT with iotroxindimeglumine.
- Intralumenal images of the biliary tree were constructed from CT data.
- VCTC diagnoses were compared to endoscopic retrograde cholangiography or intraoperative cholangiography.
Main Results:
- VCTC correctly identified biliary stones in 90% of patients (9/10).
- Anatomic variations were accurately depicted in all cases (5/5).
- Excellent endolumenal visualization (87/99 segments) was achieved with short processing times.
Conclusions:
- VCTC is a feasible clinical tool for diagnosing choledocholithiasis.
- VCTC demonstrates acceptable accuracy in selected patients.
- Intravenous iotroxindimeglumine facilitates VCTC imaging of the biliary tree.