Use of multi-detector CT angiography in assessment of collateral circulations in chronic lower limb ischemia, clinical and anatomical application

ObjectiveTo evaluate role of multi-detector CT angiography in assessment of collateral circulations in chronic lower limb ischemia based on anatomical background as well as mapping the collateral circulations and identifying their frequencies and variations, and whether they are pre-existing or newly formed.Materials and methods105 patients with manifestation of lower limb ischemia underwent CT angiography for disease evaluation and further treatment planning.ResultsOn the basis of CT angiographic findings, the study shows the distribution of the arterial lesions and the different patterns of the arterial collateralization in peripheral arterial disease. The diabetic patients had an infrapoplitial disease distribution tendency more than the non-diabetic ones with the superficial femoral artery most affected in both parties. Collateral circulations were present significantly more in non-diabetic subjects than in diabetic ones. The patterns included both systemic and visceral anastomotic pathways.ConclusionsMDCT angiography is excellent noninvasive scanning technique for patients with chronic lower limb ischemia, with higher spatial resolution and faster acquisition times, allowing excellent assessment of the lower limb arterial lesions and collateral pathways.