Purpose: To demonstrate the diagnostic value of helical CT angiography and 3-D imaging modalities in aorta pathologies.
Methods and materials: Noncontrast axial images determined the length of examination. Then breath hold dynamic spiral scanning of aorta was performed using IV bolus contrast material. CT angiographic and 3-D images were obtained using surface shaded display (SSD), maximum intensity projection (MIP), and multiplanar volumetric reconstruction (MPVR) methods.
Results: Spiral CT and CT anjiographic images of 40 patients, including 23 aneurysms, 6 aortic dissections, 7 conjenital anomalies, 1 arteritis and 3 normal cases were obtained.
Conclusion: Spiral CT and 3-D imaging modalities are noninvasive vascular imaging methods of evaluating aorta and its first order branches, which provide sufficient data to choose and direct therapy. 3-D imaging modalities aid the orientation of clinicians by collecting the vascular data of several axial images.