Added Value of Selective Intra-arterial Cone-Beam CT Angiography in the Management of Visceral Artery Aneurysms

Marton Berczeli, Ponraj Chinnadurai, Daniel S. Veress, Orlando Diaz, Charudatta S. Bavare, Alan B. Lumsden

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of selective intra-arterial cone-beam computed tomography angiography (CBCTA) relative to conventional computed tomography angiography (CTA) in understanding visceral artery aneurysm (VAA) morphology, and its impact on treatment planning.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2017 and August 2021, all patients who had a diagnosis of VAA and underwent intraoperative CBCTA imaging were retrospectively reviewed. Impact on treatment decisions, optimal C-arm angulations derived from CBCTA, and additional radiation exposure were reported. Two blinded independent reviewers qualitatively reviewed CBCTA and conventional CTA images. A 5-point Likert scale (1=poor image quality, 5=excellent image quality) was used to assess the overall image quality of each modality. Number of vessels arising from the aneurysm sac was counted.

RESULTS: A total of 16 patients had a diagnosis of VAA during the study period, of whom 10 patients had intraoperative CBCTA and conventional CTA available for review. Out of 10 patients, 7 underwent successful endovascular treatment, 2 were deemed not amenable for endovascular embolization based on intraoperative CBCTA findings, and 1 had resolved pseudoaneurysm. Total fluoroscopy time and radiation dose (dose area product [DAP] and skin dose) for all procedures were 27.7 ± 19.9 minutes, 28 362 (±18 651) µGy*m 2, and 1879 (±1734) mGy, respectively. Radiation exposure from CBCTA (DAP and skin dose) was 5703 (±3967) µGy*m 2 and 223.6 (±141.3) mGy, respectively. In patients who underwent endovascular treatment, the proportional DAP from CBCTA was 18.3% (±15.3%) of the total procedural radiation dose. Qualitative rating of overall image quality of CBCTA images was superior to CTA images (mean score: 4.55 vs 3, p<0.001). More branch vessels arising from the VAA were identified by all reviewers in CBCTA as compared with conventional CTA (median, min-max: 3, 0-4 vs 2,1-3 vessels).

CONCLUSION: Intraoperative CBCTA after selective intra-arterial contrast injection, with better spatial resolution, provided better delineation of visceral aneurysm morphology as compared with conventional, intravenous CTA and enabled optimal treatment planning at a reasonable additional radiation exposure.

CLINICAL IMPACT: Visceral artery aneurysms (VAA) are often diagnosed incidentally by conventional computed tomographic angiography (CTA). Endovascular treatment typically requires selective angiographies at multiple projections to better understand aneurysm morphology, location, and efferent branch vessels. Intra-arterial cone-beam CT angiography (CBCTA) for VAA has the advantage of selective contrast opacification, better spatial resolution, and three-dimensional/multi-planar visualization of aneurysm morphology. In addition, CBCTA enables identification of optimal C-arm working projection for subsequent endovascular treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of intraoperative CBCTA relative to conventional CTA in understanding visceral artery aneurysm morphology and its impact on treatment planning.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)15266028221118510
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Endovascular Therapy
Volume31
Issue number2
Early online dateAug 18 2022
DOIs
StateE-pub ahead of print - Aug 18 2022

Keywords

  • aneurysm morphology
  • cone-beam CT angiography
  • endovascular treatment
  • imaging of visceral aneurysms
  • planning endovascular therapy
  • selective angiography
  • stent-assisted coil embolization
  • visceral aneurysm

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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