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Carotid artery wall thickness: comparison between sonography and multi-detector row CT angiography

  • Diagnostic Neuroradiology
  • Published:
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Abstract

Introduction

Prospective studies have shown that an increased thickness of the carotid wall is a significant predictor of coronary and cerebrovascular complications. Our purpose was to assess the agreement between multi-detector row computed tomography (CT) angiography (MDCTA) and colour Doppler ultrasound (CD-US) in measuring carotid artery wall thickness (CAWT) and the intima–media thickness (IMT).

Methods

Altogether, 97 subjects (age range 64–84 years) were prospectively analysed using a four-detector row CT and a sonographic scanner. In total, 46 subjects had shown cerebral ischaemic symptoms. CAWT and IMT were measured in each patient using MDCTA and CD-US (by applying a digital calliper), respectively. Continuous data were described as the mean value ± standard deviation and were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test. A p value <0.05 was considered significant. Bland–Altman statistics was employed to measure the agreement between MDCTA and CD-US.

Results

CAWT ranged from 0.5 to 1.53 mm, with a mean value of 0.9072 mm. IMT ranged from 0.46 to 1.5 mm, with a mean value of 0.8839 mm. By analysing the Bland–Altman plot, we observed an excellent agreement between CD-US and MDCTA with a bias between methods of 0.023 ± 0.0424 mm. A limit of agreement from −0.06 to 0.106 was recorded. Correlation coefficient r was 0.9855 (95% confidence interval 0.9808–0.989). Mann–Whitney U test indicated a p value of 0.377.

Conclusions

Obtained results indicated a significant agreement between MDCTA and CD-US in the measurement of CAWT and IMT.

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Acknowledgements

We are deeply indebted to Tiziana Langella MS and Giancarlo Caddeo MD for their precious help. We would like to thank also Aldo Saitz, Ermanno Saitz and Clements Atzeni.

Conflict of interest statement

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Policlinico Universitario, University of Cagliari, s.s. 554 Monserrato, Cagliari, 09045, Italy

    Luca Saba & Giorgio Mallarini

  2. Institute of Radiology, Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio, 46 Hospital Street, 09126, Cagliari, Italy

    Giorgio Mallarini

  3. Department of Vascular Surgery, Policlinico Universitario, s.s. 554 Monserrato, Cagliari, 09045, Italy

    Roberto Sanfilippo & Roberto Montisci

Authors
  1. Luca Saba
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  2. Roberto Sanfilippo
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  3. Roberto Montisci
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  4. Giorgio Mallarini
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Correspondence to Luca Saba.

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Saba, L., Sanfilippo, R., Montisci, R. et al. Carotid artery wall thickness: comparison between sonography and multi-detector row CT angiography. Neuroradiology 52, 75–82 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-009-0589-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-009-0589-5

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