Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: evaluation with 64-detector row CT versus digital substraction
Angela Reichelt1, Marius M Hoeper, Michael Galanski
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl Neuberg Str. 1, Hannover 30625, Germany. Reichelt.Angela@mh-hannover.de
Insights
64-row CT accurately diagnoses chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). This non-invasive imaging is a reliable alternative to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for CTEPH evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) requires accurate diagnosis for effective management.
- Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is the conventional reference standard but is invasive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic performance of 64-row computed tomography (CT) in identifying CTEPH.
- To compare CT findings with DSA in patients suspected of having CTEPH.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, blinded analysis of CT and DSA studies from 27 patients with suspected CTEPH.
- Evaluation of main, lobar, and segmental pulmonary arteries using axial images and multiplanar maximum intensity projections (MIPs).
Main Results:
- CT demonstrated high sensitivity (98.3%) and specificity (94.8%) for main/lobar CTEPH changes.
- CT showed excellent sensitivity (84.3-90.5%) and specificity (92-98.7%) for segmental changes and specific CTEPH criteria.
- CT provided an overview comparable to DSA, aiding in image interpretation.
Conclusions:
- 64-row CT is an accurate and reliable non-invasive tool for diagnosing CTEPH.
- CT can serve as a valuable alternative to invasive DSA in the diagnostic workup of CTEPH patients.
Abstract:
The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of 64-row CT in the diagnostic workup of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) using digital substraction angiography (DSA) as the method of diagnostic reference. CT and DSA studies of 27 patients (54 main, 162 lobar and 540 segmental arteries) with a clinical suspicion of CTEPH were included in this retrospective and blinded analysis. Axial images and multiplanar thin maximum intensity projections (MIPs) (3mm) were consequently used for exact image interpretation whereas additional reconstructed thick MIPs gave an overview of the entire vascular tree comparable to DSA. Sensitivity and specificity of CT regarding CTEPH-related pathological changes in general were 98.3% and 94.8% at main/lobar level and 94.1% and 92.9% at segmental level, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of CT regarding the different pathological criteria of CTEPH (complete obstruction, intimal irregularities, bands and webs, indirect signs) were 88.9-100% and 96.1-100% at main/lobar level and 84.3-90.5% and 92-98.7% at segmental level, respectively. Our results show that CT is an accurate and reliable non-invasive alternative to conventional DSA in the diagnostic workup in patients with CTEPH.
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