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Spiral computed tomography (CT) is a new technology that couples continuous tube rotation with continuous table feed. This allows compilation of a data set that has continuous anatomic information without the establishment of arbitrary boundaries at section interfaces as in conventional CT. The unique method of data collection of the spiral scanner has been combined with a dynamic intravenous contrast material bolus to image abdominal vasculature, specifically, the aorta, renal arteries, and splanchnic circulation. Through various techniques of image processing, including surface renderings and maximum-intensity projections, it is possible to obtain excellent anatomic detail of the aorta and its major branches. The authors applied this technique in 15 patients and reliably saw third-order aortic branches as well as third-order splenic-portal venous anatomic detail with remarkable clarity. Pathologic conditions detected include stenotic renal arteries, abdominal aortic dissection, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and celiac bypass graft occlusion.
Rubin et al. (1993) studied this question.