Comparison of Noninvasive Imaging Modalities for Stenosis Grading in Mesenteric Arteries

Abstract

Objective: To prospectively analyze duplex sonography, CTA, and MRA with respect to stenosis grading of the celiac trunk (TC) and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), with DSA as the reference.

Materials and Methods: 52 subjects were enrolled (mean age: 71). The image quality was graded: 1-insufficient, 2-bad, 3-moderate, 4-good or 5-excellent. Stenosis was graded: 1 (< 25 %), 2 (25 – < 50 %), 3 (50 – 75 %) or 4 (75 %). Two-sided chi-square tests were used to check for correlation of stenosis grading between modalities. The weighted Cohen’s kappa was calculated to assess the strength of correlation. With a threshold of 50 % for non-relevant stenosis vs. relevant stenosis, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were calculated.

Results: The mean image quality was 3.8 ± 0.7, 3.1 ± 1.0, 4.4 ± 0.7, and 3.8 ± 0.9 for DSA, duplex sonography, CTA, and MRA, respectively. For both TC and SMA, stenosis grading reached a significant level of correlation between each noninvasive modality with DSA (p < 0.001, each). The weighted Cohen’s kappa for duplex sonography/CTA/MRA was 0.94/0.93/0.74, respectively, for the TC and 0.64/0.91/0.56, respectively, for the SMA. Highest sensitivity/specificity/NPV/PPV/accuracy were found for CTA with 100 %/95 %/85 %/100 %/96 % for the TC and with na/98 %/na/100 %/98 %, respectively, for the SMA.

Conclusion: CTA provided the best image quality, reached the highest level of agreement and significance in correlation in stenosis grading, and offered the best diagnostic accuracy.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel: Prospektive Analyse von Duplex-Sonografie, CTA und MRA versus DSA als Referenzstandard zur Stenosegradbeurteilung im Truncus coeliacus (TC) und Arteria mesenterica superior (AMS).

Material und Methoden: Es wurden 52 Patienten eingeschlossen (mittleres Alter 71 Jahre). Die Bildqualität wurde beurteilt mit 1-unzureichend, 2-schlecht, 3-mäßig, 4-gut oder 5-exzellent. Stenosen wurden eingeteilt in die Grade 1 (< 25 %), 2 (25 – < 50 %), 3 (50 – < 75 %) oder 4 (> 75 %). Mittels zweiseitigen Chi-Quadrat-Tests wurde die Korrelation in der Stenosegradbeurteilung zwischen den Modalitäten bestimmt. Mittels gewichtetem Cohen’s-kappa wurde das Korrelationsmaß berechnet. Für nicht-relevante versus relevante Stenosen (Schwellenwert 50 %) wurden Sensitivität, Spezifität, PPV, NPV und Genauigkeit ermittelt.

Ergebnisse: Die durchschnittliche Bildqualität für DSA/Duplex-Sonografie/CTA/MRA lag bei 3,8 ± 0,7/3,1 ± 1,0/4,4 ± 0,7/3,8 ± 0,9. Alle nicht-invasiven Modalitäten erreichten eine signifikante Korrelation in der Stenosegradbeurteilung für TC und AMS im Vergleich mit der DSA mit jeweils p < 0,001. Der gewichtete Cohen’s-kappa betrug für Duplex-Sonografie/CTA/MRA für TC 0,94/ 0,93/0,74 und für AMS 0,64/ 0,91/ 0,56. Die höchste Sensitivität/Spezifität/NPV/PPV/Genauigkeit erreichte die CTA mit 100 %/95 %/85 %/100 %/96 % für den TC und mit na/98 %/na/100 %/98 % für die AMS.

Schlussfolgerung: Bei bester Bildqualität erreichte die CTA das höchste Maß an Korrelation in der Stenosegradbeurteilung und bot die größte diagnostische Genauigkeit.

Key words

arteries - angiography - CT angiography - MR angiography - ultrasound

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