Computerised Tomography of Abdominal Blood Vessels

Abstract

The advent of whole body computerised tomography presents a new method for evaluation of the abdominal vasculature. For years, angiography has been the only technique for studying blood vessels and it still gives the most detailed information. Grey-scale and real time ultrasound are also used in the evaluation of the aorta, inferior vena cava and the splenic, hepatic and portal veins. Abdominal C.A.T. scanning routinely visualises the abdominal aorta (1, 3) and inferior vena cava. Branch arteries including the coeliac, superior mesenteric and iliac arteries are generally demonstrated. The renal arteries and veins are regularly seen, but are not always separable. The splenic, superior mesenteric and portal veins can also be demonstrated occasionally. Identification of these abdominal vessels helps in localisation of other intra-abdominal structures. Abnormalities of vessels are also seen and occasionally can be seen only at C.A.T. scanning.