Nobuyuki  Takahashi MD,Toshiyuki Irie,
Vascular phantom examination for trans-arterial CT angiography (CTA) to depict small arteries
Radiology and Medical Diagnostic Imaging
2018
2613-7836
http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.RDI.2018.10.001
https://www.sciencerepository.org/vascular-phantom-examination-for-trans-arterial-CT-angiography-CTA-to-depict-small-arteries_RDI-1-101 
Abstract: Purpose: Vascular phantom study to examine the potential of trans-arterial CT angiography (TACTA)
using a 64 multi-detector rows CT (64-MDCT) for depiction of small arteries.
Material and Methods: Non-diluted contrast medium (Iopamidol 300, contains 300 mgI/mL), 2 folds
diluted contrast medium (CM), 4 folds, 8, 16, 32, 64 were filled in each small tube 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.5
mm in inner diameter. These tubes were placed in a cubic cup filled with 64 folds diluted CM. Axial CT
image 0.5 mm in thickness was obtained using a 64-MDCT and observed with window width of 700. This
window width was preferably and often used in our institution when we observed TACTA images. The
visibility of each tube was judged by discussion and agreement between 2 interventional radiologists, and
classified into 3 categories; visible, faintly visible, invisible.
Results: 0.1 mm tube filled with non-diluted CM was faintly visible. 0.2 mm tube filled with 1-2 folds
diluted CM was visible, and that filled with 4 folds diluted CM was faintly visible. 0.5 mm tubes filled
with1-8 folds diluted CM were visible, and that filled with 16 folds diluted CM was faintly visible. The
rests were invisible.
Conclusion: TACTA using a 64-MDCT had a potential to depict small arteries 0.1 mm in diameter. Filling
of denser CM in arteries enabled depiction of smaller arteries.Keywords: trans-arterial CT angiography, small artery, phantom study