Isocenter Artifact mimicking Basilar Artery Thrombosis in CT- Angiography

Congress:

ECR 2018

Poster Number:

C-1112

Type:

Educational Exhibit

Keywords:

Image verification, Embolism / Thrombosis, Artifacts, Technical aspects, Education, Contrast agent-intravenous, CT-Angiography, Vascular, Head and neck, Contrast agents

Authors:

M. Cieciera¹, K. Strobel¹, J. Roos², T. C. Treumann¹; ¹Lucerne/CH, ²Luzern/CH

DOI:

10.1594/ecr2018/C-1112

DOI-Link:

https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/ecr2018/C-1112

Fig. 6: Case report: The artifact in oblique sagittal MPR, non-original slice thickness.

Fig. 1: The artifact in axial plane, original slice thickness.

Fig. 3: The artifact in coronal plane, original slice thickness.

Fig. 8: Artefact detail in axial plane, original slice thickness.

Conclusion

A target-like reconstruction algorithm related isocenter artifact may hit the basilar artery in CT angiographies in patients referred to CT for suspected stroke. Radiologists should be aware of this artifact to avoid unnecessary catheter angiography for suspected basilar artery thrombosis. The artifact can occur when the basilar artery is in the isocenter and follows the z-direction of the gantry. It is mandatory to closely examine the original thin slice images as oblique or thicker planes may be deceiving.