Evaluation of Thoracic Extracardiac Findings in Patients Undergoing Multidetector Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography in Alzahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran, during 2015-2016

Abstract

Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of accidental extracardiac findings in multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography of coronary arteries. Methods: Patients with suspected coronary artery disease were evaluated with multidetector computed tomography during injection of contrast material. Images were reviewed for extracardiac findings which were classified as therapy needed, further workup needed, follow-up needed, and no further action needed. Findings: Extracardiac findings were detected in 24.30% of patients. The frequency of the findings classified as needed therapy, needed workup, needed follow-up, and no further action needed was 1.94%, 8.02%, 10.94%, and 3.40%, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of noncardiac findings on cardiac multidetector computed tomography was noticeable. To avoid missing clinically important findings, all the fields of cardiac multidetector computed tomography should be evaluated carefully.

Keywords

• Computed tomography angiography
• Coronary vessels
• Incidental findings