Combination of Colour Duplex and Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound as an Alternative to Computed Tomography Angiography in Isolated Mesenteric Artery Dissection Surveillance.

Abstract

The aim was to investigate the effectiveness of colour duplex ultrasound (CDU) plus contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) vs. computed tomography angiography (CTA) for surveillance in patients with isolated mesenteric artery dissection (IMAD). Patients who underwent CDU, CEUS, and CTA for surveillance of IMAD between January 2012 and May 2019 were included in the study. The accuracy of CDU, CEUS, and CTA for determining the morphological characteristics of IMAD was analysed. A total of 42 patients undergoing 76 total imaging examinations during follow up were included. Both CTA and CDU plus CEUS demonstrated the thrombosed false lumen for 28 (36.8%) examinations and the dissecting aneurysm for 20 (26.3%) examinations (both κ = 1.0). The diameter of the dissecting aneurysm was 5.03 ± 1.25 mm using CDU and CEUS vs. 5.27 ± 1.23 mm on CTA (coefficient of consistency, 0.997; p < .001). The entry points were visualised by CDU and CEUS for 20 (26.3%) examinations and by CTA for 14 (18.4%) examinations (κ = 0.769); no re-entry points were visualised by CDU and CEUS for any examinations but re-entry points were visualised by CTA for two (2.6%) examinations. The minimum inner diameter was 2.80 ± 1.30 mm on CDU and CEUS vs. 2.52 ± 1.29 mm on CTA (coefficient of consistency, 0.999; p < .001). The peak systolic velocities were 128.2 ± 13.0 cm/s at diagnosis and 98.7 ± 4.9 cm/s after one month (p < .001). The combination of CDU and CEUS can be used in place of CTA for the surveillance of IMAD.