Temporal Resolution of Dynamic Angiography Using Flat Panel Volume CT: In Vivo Evaluation of Time-Dependent Vascular Pathologies

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recently introduced fpVCT scanners can capture volumetric (4D) time-varying projections enabling whole-organ dynamic CTA imaging. The main objective of this study was to assess the temporal resolution of dynamic CTA in discriminating various phases of rapid and slow time-dependent neurovascular pathologies in animal models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animal models were created to assess phasic blood flow, subclavian steal phenomena, saccular aneurysms, and neuroperfusion under protocols approved by the SRAC. Animals with progressively increasing heart rate—Macaca sylvanus (∼100 bpm), Oryctolagus cuniculus (NZW rabbit) (∼150 bpm), Rattus norvegicus (∼300 bpm), Mus musculus (∼500 bpm)—were imaged to challenge the temporal resolution of the system. FpVCT, a research prototype with a 25 × 25 × 18 cm coverage, was used for dynamic imaging with the gantry rotation time varying from 3 to 5 seconds. Volumetric datasets with 50% temporal overlap were reconstructed; 4D datasets were analyzed by using the Leonardo workstation. RESULTS: Dynamic imaging by using fpVCT was capable of demonstrating the following phenomena: 1) subclavian steal in rabbits (ΔT ≅ 3–4 seconds); 2) arterial, parenchymal, and venous phases of blood flow in mice (ΔT ≅ 2 seconds), rabbits (ΔT ≅ 3–4 seconds), and Macaca sylvanus (ΔT ≅ 3–4 seconds); 3) sequential enhancement of the right and left side of the heart in Macaca sylvanus and white rabbits (ΔT ≅ 2 seconds); and 4) different times of the peak opacification of cervical and intracranial arteries, venous sinuses, and the jugular veins in these animals (smallest, ΔT ≅ 1.5–2 seconds). The perfusion imaging in all animals tested was limited due to the fast transit time through the brain and the low contrast resolution of fpVCT. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic imaging by using fpVCT can distinguish temporal processes separated by >1.5 seconds. Neurovascular pathologies with a time constant >1.5 seconds can be evaluated noninvasively by using fpVCT. ACA : anterior cerebral artery AVF : arteriovenous fistula AVM : arteriovenous malformation bpm : beats per minute CBF : cerebral blood flow CBV : cerebral blood volume CE : contrast enhanced CTA : CT angiography DSA : digital subtraction angiography ECA : external carotid artery fps : frames per second fpVCT : flat panel volume CT ICA : internal carotid artery IVC : inferior vena cava MDCT : multidetector row CT MIP : maximum intensity projection MTT : mean transit time NZW : New Zealand white RCCA : right common carotid artery SRAC : Subcommittee on Research Animal Care SSS : subclavian steal syndrome