Ahmed Abdrabou, Ahmed M Osman, Noha M Taha, Eman A F Darwish
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: To determine the diagnostic merit of using quantitative imaging parameters measured on non-contrast CT (NCCT) in the diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT).
Materials and methods: 43 patients with CVT and 30 age and sex-matched controls were enrolled in this retrospective study. Two blinded neuroradiologists independently assessed the NCCT scans for direct and indirect signs of CVT. Absolute attenuation values of thrombosed and non-thrombosed sinuses were measured and the ratio of sinus attenuation to patient's hematocrit (H/H ratio) was calculated for each case. The attenuation value of the internal carotid artery was also measured to calculate the veno-arterial (V/A) difference. Inter-reader agreement was evaluated and all measurements were compared between patient and control groups.
Results: The sensitivity and specificity of the dense sinus sign for diagnosis of CVT ranged from 72 to 79% and from 83 to 87% respectively. Sinus attenuation, H/H ratio and V/A difference were significantly higher in the CVT group than in the control group (P < 0.0001). An attenuation threshold value of > 55 HU yielded a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 90% and had the largest AUC of 0.89 (95%CI 0.795-0.951) among all stand-alone parameters, while the combination of an attenuation value greater than 55, or a V/A difference greater than 22, yielded the best diagnostic performance among all the parameters with sensitivity and specificity at values of 86% and a 100% respectively and an AUC of 0.93 (95%CI 0.846 to 0.977).
Conclusions: Overall, the analysis of quantitative parameters resulted in a notable upgrade in the accuracy of the diagnosis of CVT over visual inspection alone. Their high specificities make them reliable markers of CVT, yet their relatively lower sensitivities may indicate a need to perform further studies to safely eliminate the possibility of CVT in highly suspicious cases.
期刊介绍：
Japanese Journal of Radiology is a peer-reviewed journal, officially published by the Japan Radiological Society. The main purpose of the journal is to provide a forum for the publication of papers documenting recent advances and new developments in the field of radiology in medicine and biology. The scope of Japanese Journal of Radiology encompasses but is not restricted to diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, radiation oncology, nuclear medicine, radiation physics, and radiation biology. Additionally, the journal covers technical and industrial innovations. The journal welcomes original articles, technical notes, review articles, pictorial essays and letters to the editor. The journal also provides announcements from the boards and the committees of the society. Membership in the Japan Radiological Society is not a prerequisite for submission. Contributions are welcomed from all parts of the world.
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