Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the usefulness of CT angiography for follow-up of patients with iliac artery aneurysms who have undergone endovascular treatment.
Subjects and methods: Twelve patients with iliac artery aneurysms (10 true aneurysms and two pseudoaneurysms) were examined with CT angiography within 1 week of receiving transfemorally placed endovascular grafts. All patients underwent follow-up CT angiography from 3 to 30 months (mean, 11 months) later. Follow-up CT angiography at 6 months or later (mean, 14 months) was also available in 10 patients. All studies were obtained after i.v. contrast administration using 3-mm collimation, 1.6-2.0 pitch, 2-mm retrospective reconstruction, and with subsequent three-dimensional rendering and multiplanar reformation. The shape and patency of the graft, perigraft thrombosis, and the size of the aneurysm were assessed.
Results: All grafts remained patent and without deformity. Complete thrombosis of the aneurysm was shown by initial postoperative CT angiography in 11 patients and confirmed by follow-up studies. A single case of a perigraft leak was revealed by CT angiography and confirmed by follow-up angiography. No aneurysm showed change in size at late follow-up.
Conclusion: CT angiography is an accurate method for evaluating endovascular devices. CT angiography can be used as a primary technique for follow-up of patients who have undergone endovascular repair of iliac aneurysms.