Optimal timing of abdominal CT in children: relationship to injection rate.
OBJECTIVE
To study computed tomographic (CT) scanning technique in relationship to rate of injection of contrast material for imaging of the liver and other abdominal organs in pediatric patients.


METHODS
The time from start of injection of 2 mL/kg iohexol to peak opacification in the aorta, hepatic vein, liver, and kidney was determined for injection rates of 0-0.99, 1.00-1.99, 2.00-2.99, 3.00-3.99, and 4.00 mL/kg or more per minute in 77 pediatric patients.


RESULTS
Peak liver opacification varied only slightly with different injection rates, but the time from start of injection to peak opacification in the aorta, hepatic vein, liver, and kidney did vary with injection rate.


CONCLUSIONS
Data provided by this study should allow CT scanning to be timed in relation to injection rate to ensure that maximal organ opacification is achieved as the middle of the organ is being scanned, that adequate hepatic and portal vein opacification is achieved, and that streaking from the renal pelvis is minimized.
Department of Pediatric Imaging, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit 48201-2196.
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Kuhns
D000293:Adolescent; D001027:Aortography; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006503:Hepatic Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007472:Iohexol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007672:Kidney Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007679:Kidney Medulla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013154:Spleen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D007472:Iohexol