Comparison study between 16 slice CT angiography with subtraction and digital subtraction angiography in the cranial-neck vascularities

Objective To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of 16 slice CT subtraction angiography in finding cranial or neck vascular diseases, and to assess the value of its clinical application. Methods We randomly chose 76 patients with or probably with cranial or neck vascular diseases to have the 16 slice CT subtraction angiography examination. The parameters of the non-enhanced and enhanced CT data were uniformly controlled with subtraction process done by Neuro-DSA software. Among them, 30 patients' images were compared with those of the digital subtraction angiography(DSA). Results The objective arteries included intracranial internal carotid artery, anterior and posterior communicating artery, the proximal section of anterior, middle and posterior cerebral arteries, vertebral artery and the basilar artery. We totally observed 900 sections of vessels, with image quality rated good in 571(63.4%), acceptable in 301(33.4%), but the difference of the image quality existed in the different section of the arteries. The sensitivity of 16 slice CT subtraction angiography was 84.4%, and the specificity was 40%, but both of them were 100% in diagnosing aneurysm. Conclusion As a non-invasive and quick method, 16 slice subtraction CT angiography improves the diagnostic accuracy and therapetic planning of intracranial aneurysms, and can be further used routinely for screening cranial or neck vascular diseases.