Multislice CT of the thorax: effects of contrast material pushed with saline solution using a dual power injector on contrast material dose and perivenous artifacts

A new method of power injection of contrast material flushed with saline solution for thoracic multislice CT using a dual power injector was evaluated in 105 patients. The patients were categorized into 3 groups of 35 patients each, according to the protocol of contrast material administration: (1) 100 mL of non-ionic contrast material(300 mgI/mL), (2) 75 mL of the same contrast material, and (3) 75 mL of the same contrast material flushed with 30 mL of saline solution. Scanning was performed in a caudal-to-cranial direction. Mean attenuation for the three protocols was measured in the superior vena cava, pulmonary trunk, ascending aorta, and descending aorta. Vascular opacification and perivenous artifacts were graded using four-point scoring by a consensus panel of three blinded radiologists. Intravenous injection of 75 mL of contrast material flushed with saline solution provided significantly better vascular opacification in the superior vena cava(p < 0.001) and pulmonary trunk(p < 0.02) than that provided by a 75 mL or 100 mL injection of contrast material alone. A similar degree of enhancement was observed in the ascending and descending aorta. Further, perivenous artifacts in the subclavian vein were significantly reduced (p < 0.05).     

Reduction of contrast material dose and artifacts by a saline flush using a double power injector in helical CT of the thorax

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate a combined method of contrast material bolus followed by saline solution flush for thoracic helical CT and statistical comparison with a uniphasic injection protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients underwent helical CT of the thorax using 60 ml of contrast material (370 mg I/ml) followed by flushing with 30 ml of physiologic saline solution. These 50 patients had been examined before using our previous protocol, 75 ml of the same contrast material without a subsequent saline solution. Mean attenuation values for both protocols were measured in the superior vena cava, the pulmonary trunk, and the ascending aorta. Image artifacts and mediastinal and hilar depiction were graded and compared. RESULTS: Mean attenuation values in the superior vena cava were considerably higher in the regimen without saline solution flush (459 H versus 352 H) and in the pulmonary trunk and the ascending aorta were almost identical for both protocols. Injection of saline solution diminished surrounding artifacts (p = 0.001). Grading results for the evaluation of mediastinal and hilar structures were not significantly different in the two protocols (p = 0.564). CONCLUSION: Injection of contrast material followed by a saline solution bolus using a double power injector when performing thoracic helical CT allows a 20% reduction of contrast material volume to 60 ml with a similar degree of enhancement. In addition, perivenous artifacts in the superior vena cava are significantly reduced.     

Effect of contrast material pushed with saline solution using dual injection on enhancement of aorta, portal vein, and liver parenchyma in multislice CT of the liver

We evaluated the effect of the enhancement value of the abdominal aorta, portal vein, and liver parenchyma by the saline flush technique. One hundred eight patients who underwent multislice CT of the liver were randomly divided into four groups: 100 ml of contrast material (Iomeprol 300 mgI/ml or 350 mgI/ml) only and 100 ml of contrast material (300 mgI/ml or 350 mgI/ml) flushed with 50 ml of saline solution at a rate of 5 ml/sec. The saline flush technique demonstrated statistically significantly greater portal enhancement. Therefore, we consider that this technique contributes to the visualization of three-dimensional CT portography.     

Novel connecting tube for saline chaser in contrast-enhanced CT: the effect of spiral flow of saline on contrast enhancement

Objective

To evaluate the effect of a newly developed connecting tube, which generates a spiral flow of saline, on aortic and hepatic contrast enhancement during hepatic-arterial phase (HAP) and portal venous phase (PVP) computed tomography (CT).

Methods

Eighty patients were randomly assigned to one of two protocols: with a new or a conventional tube. The contrast material (600 mgI/kg) was delivered over 30 s; this was followed by the administration of 25 ml saline solution delivered at the same injection rate as the contrast material. Unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT images of the upper abdomen were obtained. We calculated the changes in the CT number (?HU) for the aorta during HAP and PVP, and for the liver during PVP. We compared ?HU between protocols.

Results

The mean ?HU for the abdominal aorta during HAP was significantly higher with the new tube protocol than with the conventional tube protocol (322?±?53 vs. 290?±?53, P?<?0.01). There were no significant differences in the mean ?HU for the abdominal aorta and liver during PVP between the two protocols (P?>?0.05).

Conclusion

The new connecting tube increased the effect of a saline chaser and significantly improved aortic enhancement during HAP.

Key Points

? Optimal administration of intravenous contrast material is essential for optimal CT quality. ? A new connecting tube can generate spiral flow, which improves intravenous administration. ? The new connecting tube improved aortic contrast enhancement during the hepatic-arterial phase. ? The new connecting tube increased the effect of a saline chaser.     

Multidetector CT angiography using a dual-head power injector and bolus tracking for the diagnosis of aortic aneurysms at reduced contrast material dosage

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To establish the utility of multidetector computed tomography (CT) angiography using dual-head power injector in the diagnosis of aortic diseases. METHODS: In a prospective study, 151 patients with aortic diseases were examined by four-detector CT. Scanning was performed using bolus tracking technique. In all patients nonionic contrast was injected at the rate of 1.5 mL/sec. One hundred one patients were examined with dual-head power injector using 0.6 mL/kg contrast flushed by 30 mL of saline solution (group D). Fifty patients were examined with single-head power injector using 1.0 mL/kg contrast only (group S). We evaluated CT values at descending aorta, upper abdominal aorta, abdominal aortic bifurcation, and bilateral common femoral arteries. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant difference of CT values at descending aorta, upper abdominal aorta, abdominal aortic bifurcation, and right common femoral artery. At left common femoral artery, CT values in group D were higher than those in group S with statistically difference (P < .05). In group D, about 40% dose reduction was achieved without reducing image qualities. CONCLUSION: Multidetector CT angiography using dual-head power injector was valuable for the contrast dose reduction of aortic diseases.     

多层螺旋CT胰腺检查:两种注射条件对增强效果的影响研究

目的　探讨多层螺旋CT(MSCT)胰腺检查方案中 ,2种注射条件对增强效果的影响。方法　 4 0例无胰腺疾病患者 ,用抽签法将其随机分为 2组 ,每组各 2 0例。A组注射条件为 :对比剂总量为 12 0ml,注射流率为 5ml/s;B组注射条件为 :对比剂总量为 90ml,注射流率为 3ml/s。分别行平扫及胰腺三期 (包括动脉期、胰腺期及肝脏期 )增强扫描 ,比较两组间胰腺期胰腺实质强化程度、胰周主要血管的显示率及显示程度 (根据血管显示的清晰程度评为 0～ 3分 )。结果　A组胰腺期胰腺实质强化程度明显高于B组 (t=3 5 9,P <0 0 1) ,胰周大血管 (动脉指腹腔动脉、肝动脉、脾动脉及肠系膜上动脉 ,静脉指门静脉、脾静脉及肠系膜上静脉 )的显示率 ,A组及B组均为 10 0 % ;胰周其他主要血管(动脉包括胃十二指肠动脉及胰十二指肠前上、后上、前下、后下动脉 ,静脉包括胃结肠干及胰十二指肠前上、后上静脉 )的显示率 ,A组为 5 0 %～ 10 0 % ,B组为 10 %～ 95 % ,两组间差异有显著性意义 (χ2=2 6 2 7,P =0 0 0 )。胰周大血管及胰周其他主要血管的显示程度 ,A组各血管平均评分值分别为2 93～ 3 0 0与 0 6 0～ 2 80 ,B组分别为 2 33～ 2 80与 0 0 7～ 1 5 3,两组间差异均有显著性意义(U =0 0 0及 12 5 0 ,P =0 0 0及 0 0 4 )     

Characterization of focal liver lesions with a new ultrasound contrast agent using continuous low acoustic power imaging: comparison with contrast enhanced spiral CT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the concordance of the enhancement patterns of a new ultrasound contrast agent (SonoVue) with those obtained with dual-phase contrast-enhanced spiral CT (CE-CT) in the characterization of focal liver lesions (FLLs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients with focal liver lesions discovered at ultrasound and also studied with CECT underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound using continuous low acoustic power imaging after receiving a 2.4 ml bolus of the new US contrast agent SonoVue, consisting of a dispersion of sulphur hexafluoride microbubbles. The examinations were made using ATL HDI-5000, Acuson SEQUOIA and Aloka 5500 Prosound ultrasound systems with 5.2 MHz curved-array probes. The concordance between US and CE-CT images was evaluated on site by two radiologists blinded to CT RESULTS: The FLLs were assessed in the arterial (20 s after CM injection), portal (after 45-60 s) and late (after 120 s) phases for: 1) presence/absence of enhancement 2) distribution of enhancement (homogenous or target distribution, centripetal or centrifugal flow, and other), 3) qualitative enhancement pattern (hyperechoic, hypoechoic, or isoechoic) versus normal liver parenchyma. RESULTS: The concordance between SonoVue-enhanced US and CE-CT was 85%. Moreover during portal venous phase with CEUS it was possible to differentiate between malignancy or benignity of 91% of lesions. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary data obtained in this study suggest that continuous low acoustic power imaging and contrast-enhanced US show similar results to CT in contrast distribution and contrast enhancement patterns.     

Multiplanar spiral CT enterography in patients with Crohn's disease using a negative oral contrast material: initial results of a noninvasive imaging approach

The aim of this study was to prospectively define the role of multiplanar spiral CT enterography with a new negative oral contrast material for noninvasive assessment of the small bowel in patients with Crohn's disease. Thirty patients with established Crohn's disease prospectively underwent spiral CT enterography at 45-60 min after distension of the small bowel with 1400 ml of a negative oral contrast material (Mucofalk water enema). Spiral CT scans were obtained 50 s after administration of intravenous contrast material with the following parameters: 5-mm collimation; 7.5-mm/s table feed; and 3-mm reconstruction interval. The adequacy of bowel opacification, luminal distension, and the contribution of two-dimensional multiplanar reformatted imaging were assessed by two observers. Spiral CT imaging findings were compared with results of enteroclysis as well as endoscopic and histological findings in all patients. Spiral CT enterography with Mucofalk water enema was well tolerated in 29 of 30 patients. Findings on spiral CT enterography were comparable with those of barium studies in 25 of 30 patients, superior to those on barium studies in 4 patients, and inferior in 1 patient ( p<0.05). The addition of multiplanar reformatted images to axial spiral CT scans significantly improved observers' confidence in image interpretation ( p<0.05) but did not reveal additional abnormalities. Multiplanar spiral CT enterography with Mucofalk excellently provides information in patients with Crohn's disease. This technique accurately depicts the level of small bowel obstruction and the extent of inflammatory small bowel disease and its extraluminal complications.     

Contrast-enhanced spiral CT of the head and neck: comparison of contrast material injection rates.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Contrast-enhanced spiral CT studies of the head and neck are performed frequently using contrast material volumes of approximately 30 g iodine and a scan delay of 30-45 seconds. Because little is known about the effects of contrast material injection rates on tissue enhancement, this was prospectively investigated in our study. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients underwent spiral CT of the head and neck. Each patient was assigned randomly to one of four groups who received 100 mL of nonionic contrast material (300 mg I/mL) at different monophasic injection flow rates with 1.5, 2, 3, and 4 mL/s. Scanning started after a constant delay of 35 seconds. The attenuation of the carotid artery, jugular vein, and sternocleidomastoid muscle was measured over time and the attenuation of the submandibular and thyroid gland was evaluated. Vascular attenuation of at least 150 HU was considered to be sufficient. RESULTS: The mean scan time was 33+/-5 seconds. The study, using an injection rate of 2 mL/s, showed the longest time of sufficient overall (arterial and venous) vessel attenuation (27+/-4 seconds, P< or =.008). The injection flow rate did not influence significantly muscular attenuation (mean enhancement during scan time: 9+/-7 HU). The 1.5 mL/s protocol showed the lowest attenuation values of the submandibular gland (81+/-12 HU) and the highest attenuation values of the thyroid gland (164+/-22 HU), but the attenuation of the thyroid gland was not statistically different from that revealed by the 2 mL/s protocol. CONCLUSION: Using 100 mL of intravenous contrast material with 300 mg I/mL for spiral CT studies of the entire head and neck, the optimal injection flow is 2 mL/s, whereas lower flow rates resulted in insufficient venous enhancement.     

Multi-detector row CT of the head and neck: comparison of different volumes of contrast material with and without a saline chaser

Introduction The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different volumes of contrast material with and without a saline chaser on tissue enhancement in multidetector row CT (MDCT) of the head and neck.Methods In a blind prospective fashion, 120 patients were randomized into the following four groups: group 1, 80 ml contrast material administered at a flow rate of 2.0 ml/s; group 2, 80 ml followed by 40 ml saline at 2.0 ml/s; group 3, 60 ml at 1.5 ml/s; and group 4, 60 ml followed by 30 ml saline at 1.5 ml/s. The attenuation values of the carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and muscle were measured at an interval of 1.5 s in each patient. The degree of perivenous artifacts was subjectively assessed.Results Mean attenuation values in the carotid artery and internal jugular vein were significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 than in groups 3 and 4. The width of the diagnostic window (both carotid and jugular enhancement >150 HU) were significantly longer in groups 1 and 2 than in groups 3 and 4. The addition of a saline chaser did not result in improved vascular enhancement or a wider diagnostic window, but reduced perivenous artifacts, compared with using contrast material alone.Conclusion Reduction of contrast material from 80 to 60 ml results in insufficient enhancement of neck vessels. In addition, the benefit of a saline chaser technique is not obvious except for its ability to reduce perivenous artifacts.     

Peritoneal carcinomatosis: preoperative CT with intraperitoneal contrast material.

Thirty-five abdominal computed tomographic (CT) scans of 27 patients with peritoneal metastases from a mucin-producing tumor of the appendix, colon, small bowel, or ovary were retrospectively reviewed. Fifteen scans were obtained of 15 patients after CT with intraperitoneal infusion of contrast material (IP), and 20 scans were obtained of 16 patients with CT without IP. Subsequent exploratory laparotomy revealed that all 27 patients had multi-focal spread of peritoneal metastases. The sensitivity of CTIP and CT without IP for detection of peritoneal metastases at all sites of involvement was 61% and 59%, respectively. For CTIP, the highest sensitivity was in the right subphrenic space (88%), splenic hilum (86%), and left subphrenic space (83%). For CT without IP, the highest sensitivity was noted in the splenic hilum (100%), left subphrenic space (75%), and left paracolic gutter (75%). CTIP and CT without IP had low sensitivity for detection of disease in the greater omentum (50% each) and small-bowel mesentery (38% and 59%, respectively), two areas that had the highest frequency of metastases.     

Using a saline chaser to decrease contrast media in abdominal CT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare hepatic tumor conspicuity on CT after injection of either 150 mL of contrast material or 100 mL of contrast material plus a 50-mL saline chaser. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We evaluated 86 hypoattenuating liver metastases in 26 patients. Patients underwent CT in two sessions separated by a mean of 85 days: one time with 150 mL of contrast material and the other time with 100 mL of contrast material followed by a 50-mL saline chaser. The order of the sessions was randomized. Contrast material was administered via power injector and matched for injection rate and delay time. Attenuation values were obtained from normal liver tissue and metastases and from the spleen, kidney, aorta, and inferior vena cava. RESULTS: The 150 mL dose of contrast material caused slightly greater liver and tumor attenuation than 100 mL of contrast material with a chaser (mean hepatic attenuation, 95.6 vs 89.8 H, respectively; p < 0.03, paired t test; mean tumor attenuation, 53.2 vs 49.1 H, respectively; r = 0.71, p = 0.09). The difference in conspicuity of liver lesions was slightly greater with 150 mL than with 100 mL with a chaser (46.8 H vs 44.2 H; r = 0.46, p = 0.08, paired t test), but was of doubtful clinical significance (2.6 H). Kidney, spleen, and vascular structures enhanced more with 150 mL than with 100 mL and a chaser. CONCLUSION: Using 100 mL of contrast material and a saline chaser did not result in a meaningful difference in liver parenchyma attenuation or lesion conspicuity compared with using 150 mL of contrast medium alone. Routine use of a chaser for abdominal CT may yield cost savings and a decreased risk of contrast nephropathy.     

Aortoiliac enhancement during computed tomography angiography with reduced contrast material dose and saline solution flush: influence on magnitude and uniformity of the contrast column

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the magnitude and uniformity of aortoiliac contrast enhancement obtained from uniphasic contrast material injections versus contrast material injections with reduced iodine dose followed by a saline flush in aortoiliac multislice CT angiography (CTA). METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms underwent aortoiliac CTA using protocols A and B. With protocol A, 120 mL contrast material (300 mgI/mL), and with protocol B, 100 mL contrast material followed by a 40-mL saline solution flush were administered at a flow rate of 4 mL/s. Quantitative analysis was performed by calculating mean aortoiliac attenuation, mean plateau deviation, and mean difference between maximum and minimum attenuation value for both groups. Qualitative analysis was performed by visual assessment of vascular enhancement using 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional postprocessing techniques. RESULTS: The mean aortoiliac attenuation with protocol A was 291 +/- 62 HU, and with protocol B it was 285 +/- 61 HU. The difference of 6 HU was not statistically significant (P = 0.27). Mean plateau deviation was significantly smaller using protocol A than protocol B (16 +/- 9 HU vs. 20 +/- 10 HU, P = 0.03). In addition, the mean difference between maximum and minimum attenuation value was significantly smaller with protocol A than with protocol B (59 +/- 29 HU vs. 72 +/- 32 HU, P = 0.01). Visual analysis showed no difference in contrast material magnitude and homogeneity between the protocols. CONCLUSIONS: In aortoiliac CTA, a saline solution flush after contrast material bolus allows an iodine dose reduction of approximately 20 mL without impairing the magnitude of contrast enhancement but degrades the uniformity of the contrast column. However, the degradation does not affect visual analysis.     

低剂量对比剂联合生理盐水在64层螺旋CT头颈血管成像中的应用

目的：初步探讨低剂量对比剂联合生理盐水在64层螺旋CT头颈血管成像中的应用。方法：加例患者行头颈CT血管成像（CTA），采用随机数字表法根据对比剂使用剂量将患者分成2组，低剂量组（A组）：50ml对比剂＋20ml生理盐水；对照组（B组）：70ml对比剂。采用双盲法，由2名有经验的放射科医师分别独立进行评价分析。结果：（1）2名医师在颈动脉、颅底动脉环显示、静脉伪影以及CT值测量上的Kappa值分别为0．895、0．814、0．702、0．836。（2）在颈动脉的显示上，2组评分结果A医师分别为1.3、1.2分，B医师分别为1.4、1.2分，2名医师A、B组之间的差异均无统计学意义（U值分别为173、128，P值均〉0．05）；在颅底动脉环的显示上，2组的评分结果A医师分别为1．4、1．2分，B医师分别为1．2、1．2分，2名医师A、B组之间的差异均无统计学意义（U值分别为160、106，P值均〉0．05）；在注射侧锁骨下静脉、头臂静脉、腔静脉的伪影上，2组的评分结果A医师分别为1．3、2．1分，B医师分别为1．2、1．9分，2名医师A、B组之间的差异均有统计学意义（U值分别为75、82，P〈0．05）。（3）2组各血管CT值的测量结果，A医师分别为329．1、322．9、241．4、194．6HU和353．3、342．7、245．8、204．5HU，B医师分别为337．3、329．5、239．2、192．8HU和345．6、341．2、247．1、210．5HU；2名医师2组之间差异均无统计学意义（t值分别为0．298、0．233，P〉0．05）。结论：64层螺旋CT进行头颈血管CTA检查时，应用低剂量对比剂联合生理盐水可获得良好的CTA图像，能为临床医师提供可靠的诊疗依据。     

Inferior vena cava pseudothrombus in computed tomography using a contrast medium power injector: a potential pitfall

Of 276 patients undergoing CT using a power injector to deliver contrast material, 71 (26%) demonstrated a pseudothrombus in the suprarenal inferior vena cava. This occurs much more commonly than in patients injected by hand and is a potential pitfall in interpreting these scans.     

加注生理盐水对16层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像作用的探讨

目的:探讨加注生理盐水对16层螺旋CT冠状动脉成像的作用。方法:60例患者被随机分成两组,1组:注入对比剂欧乃派克120ml;2组:注入对比剂欧乃派克100ml及生理盐水40ml。所有患者均行16层螺旋CT冠状动脉增强扫描,分别测量左、右冠状动脉开口层面升主动脉、肺动脉及上腔静脉的CT值,测量左冠状动脉主干、左前降支、左回旋支及右冠状动脉的CT值,并用统计学软件SPSS分析。结果:升主动脉CT值1组显著低于2组,上腔静脉CT值1组显著高于2组。肺动脉CT值在左、右冠状动脉开口层面1组均高于2组,但差异在右冠状动脉开口层面有显著性意义,在左冠状动脉开口层面无显著性意义。各支冠状动脉CT值1组均显著低于2组。结论:加注生理盐水可以节省对比剂,降低上腔静脉及右心的密度,增加升主动脉的密度,便于更好地显示冠状动脉。     

胸部多层螺旋CT低剂量扫描的研究进展

X线计算机体层成像（X-ray computed tomography,CT）自1972年问世以来,得到了快速发展和普及,其检查范围在逐步扩大。多层螺旋CT容积扫描的实现提高了病变的检出率和诊断的准确率,临床应用日益广泛,受检群体的有效受照剂量也在增加,如何在最大限度地满足CT诊断前提下,降低CT剂量,已受到越来越多的关注。