Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) angiography for the assessment of traumatic lesions involving the arteries of the lower limbs.
Materials and methods: Forty-seven patients with suspected arterial post-traumatic lesions of lower limbs underwent MSCT angiography (4 x 2.5-mm collimation, 3-mm slice width). The standards of reference were: digital subtraction angiography (DSA; patients with inconclusive/doubtful or positive MSCT angiography indicating a need for intravascular treatment), surgical findings (patients with positive MSCT angiography indicating a need for surgery), or clinical/investigational follow-up (patients with negative MSCT angiography and no need for further diagnostic procedures or surgery).
Results: All CT exams were technically adequate. Sensitivity, specificity, and overall diagnostic accuracy of MSCT angiography were 96.3, 90, and 93.6%, respectively, relative to the reference of standard findings. In 44 out of 47 patients, MSCT angiography allowed a correct continuation of the diagnostic work-up.
Conclusion: MSCT angiography is a reliable fast tool for diagnosing traumatic vascular lesions, providing results comparable to DSA.