Purpose: To determine the value of spiral CT angiography for evaluation of internal carotid artery stenosis.
Methods: Spiral CT angiography was compared with selective intraarterial DSA in 40 patients with 72 internal carotid artery stenoses. Quantification of stenoses was performed according to the NASCET-study and categorized in mild (0-29%), moderate (30-69%), severe (70-99%) and occlusion (100%).
Results: The total agreement of spiral CT angiography with DSA in all stenoses was 78% (r = 0.933; p < 0.0001). In the mild stenoses group there was an agreement of 56% (r = 0.598; p = 138), in the moderate stenosis group there was an agreement of 59% (0.623; p = 0.0128) and in the group with severe stenosis the agreement was 97% (0.944; p < 0.0001). All occlusions were correctly interpreted by spiral CT angiography (r = 1; p = 0.0082).
Conclusion: The agreement of spiral CT angiography with DSA is good. Especially SCTA allows a good correlation in the severe stenosis group and in the occlusion group. DSA remains the standard of reference, because of its ability to demonstrate tandem lesions and collateral flow.