Evaluation of cervical arteries with 3D-CTA using multi-detector row CT—one-session scanning of the head and neck using single or double injection of contrast medium

Abstract To detect cervical vascular lesions in 90 patients with intracranial cerebrovascular diseases, we performed three-dimensional CT angiography (3D-CTA) of the head and neck using multi-detector row CT (MD-CT) with a single- or double-bolus injection of contrast material. In the single-injection group ( n =70), the head and neck were scanned in one session after continuous injection at a rate of 3 ml/s of contrast medium (total 100 ml). In the double-bolus injection group ( n =20), the head was scanned first after the delivery of contrast material (3 ml/s, total 70 ml) and the neck was scanned after a boost injection (2 ml/s, total 30 ml). The single-bolus injection method was simple and suitable for screening for vascular lesions at the carotid bifurcations. The double bolus injection method yielded excellent 3D-CTA of the vertebral- and carotid arteries without interference by cervical veins and was suitable for screening the whole length of the carotid arteries, including the origin of the vertebral arteries. The head and neck 3D-CTA using MD-CT provides valuable diagnostic information regarding vascular lesions of the intracranial and cervical arteries.