ABSTRACT
Because of their relatively large size, lack of motion, and straight course, assessment of peripheral arteries, including the identification and quantification of luminal stenosis, can be performed with CT angiography (CTA). Vessel wall calcification remains a major limitation in particular in smaller vessels. MDCT protocols typically use a spiral examination mode with thin, overlapping images and rapid contrast bolus injection. CTA of the entire lower extremity arterial system, which includes supra-inguinal inflow vessels and infra-inguinal runoff, has only become possible with the introduction of multidetector-row CT and has largely replaced diagnostic intra-arterial angiography. While lower extremity CTA, data acquisition is relatively straightforward with state-of-the-art equipment, synchronization with contrast medium delivery requires particular attention to the fact that bolus propagation in a diseased lower extremity arterial tree may be substantially delayed.
