[Spiral CT of the thorax with double table feed in relation to slice thickness].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to reduce investigation time, radiation dose, and contrast material when performing spiral-CT of the thorax.


METHODS
50 patients with different clinical diagnoses underwent spiral-CT of the thorax with double table feed and 45 ml contrast material (lopentol) were injected. Density measurements were performed as follows: main pulmonary artery without contrast injection, carotid artery, subclavian artery, ascending and descending aorta, aortic arch, main pulmonary artery and thoracic aorta after contrast injection.


RESULTS
In comparison to the density of the main pulmonary artery without contrast injection there was an increase of density of 134 HU. 45 ml of the contrast agent were sufficient in all cases for delineation of the mediastinal vessels. Investigation time was 16-18 s and all patients were able to hold their breath during this time, so no artifacts were seen. Radiation dose was cut in half.


CONCLUSIONS
Spiral-CT with double table feed enables investigations of the thorax in less than 20s. 45 ml of a contrast agent are sufficient for performing this examination. There are no essential diagnostic deficits with this technique.
Link
J
J
Klinik für Radiologische Diagnostik, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel.
Brossmann
J
J
Schubert
F
F
Emde
L
L
Heller
M
M
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000295:instrumentation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D002648:Child; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation; D013895:Thoracic Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids
D003287:Contrast Media; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids; C053571:iopentol
Spiral-CT des Thorax mit doppeltem Tischvorschub in Relation zur Schichtdicke.