Dual Source peripheral Run-off

SOMATOM Definition vascular CTA

History

A 71-year-old man arrives in the University Hospital Zurich with a long history of diabetes. After short walks of 100 meter the patient complains of severe pain in the lower extremities, forcing him to pause. In the initial ultrasound diagnosis a severe occlusion of the left arteria femoralis could be detected. For further verification a CT scan is requested immediately. The patient was scheduled for a CTA of the peripheral vasculature with the SOMATOM Definition. A contrast enhanced CTA scan of the lower extremities was performed on the DSCT.

Diagnosis

The excellent image quality allowed precise visualization of the entire vasculature tree. The Dual Source run-off study permits a fast localization of the origin of the pain with respect to severe calcifications causing significant stenosis of the left arteria femoralis. The corresponding collateral vessels could be visualized indicating the chronic nature of the stenosis. Based on this single study, the patient was considered a candidate for endovascular repair.

Comments

The SOMATOM Definition utilizes the z-Sharp™ Technology enabling CT images with a high diagnostic detail and speed. The high spatial resolution of 0.33 mm at any position within the scan field is helpful in correct grading of stenoses severity particularly in small peripheral arteries and for visualizing small collateral vessels.

[1]: Excellent visualization of all abdominal and femoral arteries with clear visualization of distal branches at highest sub-mm coverage speed	[2]: VRT of peripheral vasculature allows to immediate rule out the cause of patients pain. Even smallest vessels can be precisely displayed with 0.33 mm isotropic resolution.