Comparison of Doppler ultrasonography and computed tomography angiography for endoleak diagnosis after endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to compare the utility of Doppler ultrasound (DUS) versus computed tomography angiography (CTA) in the\rdiagnosis of endoleaks.\rPatients and methods: Between October 2008 and December 2010, a total of 30 patients (27 males, 3 females; mean age: 70.1±12\ryears, range: 52 to 85 years) with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) were\rretrospectively analyzed. All patients were followed at 1, 6, and 12 months after EVAR with both DUS and CTA.\rResults: Stents grafts were patent in all patients. Endoleak was detected with CTA in six patients. Four patients had type I endoleak and\rtwo had type 2 endoleak. On CTA, two patients with type 2 endoleaks were unable to be detected with DUS. Considering CTA as the\rgold standard, DUS had a sensitivity and specificity of 75% and 100%, respectively. For detecting type 1 endoleak, DUS demonstrated\ra sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 100%, respectively. For detecting type 2 endoleak, DUS had a sensitivity of 50% and specificity\rof 100%.\rConclusion: Our study results suggest that DUS is reliable method for detecting endoleak and measuring diameter of aneurysm during\rfollow-up after EVAR. It may be possible to use DUS as an alternative to CTA in routine follow-up of the patients