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Published on: July 21, 2023
[Dual-source CT in chest pain diagnosis]
Thorsten R C Johnson1, K Nikolaou, C Fink
1Institut für Klinische Radiologie, Klinikum Grosshadern der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, München, Deutschland. Thorsten.Johnson@med.uni-muenchen.de
Insights
Dual-source CT angiography provides excellent image quality for diagnosing unclear chest pain. This method accurately identifies causes like coronary and aortic diseases, improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Thoracic Radiology
Background:
- CT angiography of the chest visualizes pulmonary arteries, coronary arteries, and the aorta.
- It serves as a comprehensive diagnostic tool for patients with unclear chest pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy of dual-source CT (DSCT) in patients presenting with unclear chest pain.
Main Methods:
- 47 patients with unclear chest pain underwent DSCT using a Siemens Somatom Definition scanner.
- Contrast media volume and flow were adapted to patient body weight.
- Examinations were evaluated for image quality, contrast opacification, and diagnostic accuracy against final clinical diagnoses.
Main Results:
- All examinations achieved adequate contrast opacification.
- Coronary artery depiction was diagnostic in all cases.
- The cause of chest pain was identified in 41 patients, including coronary/myocardial pathologies, valvular disease, aortic aneurysms/dissections, pulmonary embolism, and pneumonic consolidation.
Conclusions:
- DSCT angiography of the chest demonstrates high diagnostic accuracy in patients with acute chest pain.
- It provides excellent image quality, even at high heart rates.
Background:
With the depiction of pulmonary arteries, coronary arteries, and the aorta, CT angiography of the chest offers a comprehensive diagnostic work-up of unclear chest pain. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of dual-source CT in this patient group.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 47 patients suffering from unclear chest pain were examined with a Siemens Somatom Definition. Volume and flow of contrast media (Ultravist, Schering) were adapted to the body weight. The examinations were evaluated with regard to image quality and contrast opacification and to the diagnostic accuracy with reference to the final clinical diagnosis.
Results:
Adequate contrast opacification was achieved in all examinations. The depiction of the coronary arteries was diagnostic in all cases. The cause of chest pain could be identified in 41 cases. Among the diagnoses were coronary and myocardial pathologies, valvular disease, aortic aneurysms and dissections, pulmonary embolism, and pneumonic consolidation.
Conclusion:
DSCT angiography of the chest offers a very good image quality even at high heart rates so that a high diagnostic accuracy is achieved in patients with acute chest pain.
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