Value of CT angiography for postoperative assessment of patients with iliac artery aneurysms who have received endovascular grafts

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 aneurysm (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 IV 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 changed 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.