[Comparative evaluation of iopamidol 300 versus 370 during spiral x-ray computed tomographic studies of the thorax].
OBJECTIVE
A retrospective study was performed to assess the role of iodine concentration on the opacification of different vascular compartments of the chest with a nonionic contrast agent (Iopamidol) during routine spiral CT examination.


METHODS
105 injected spiral CTs of the chest were studied. 50 examinations were done with Iopamidol 300 (iodine concentration 300 g/L) (I300). 55 examinations were done with Iopamidol 370 (iodine concentration 370 g/L) (I370). A constant 24- g total iodine dose was delivered with no difference in the injected iodine flow rates (respectively 0.6 and 0.55 g/s). Images were scored for opacification success, opacification quality and for artefacts in each vascular, of the chest.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference in opacification success or in opacification quality, in each chest vascular compartment between the group receiving I300 and the group receiving I370. Artefact frequencies on the lower part of superior vena cava were however different, 24% and 41.8% respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
For a constant injected iodine flow rate, a moderate increase in iodine concentration, with decreased injection volume and flow rate, had little or no effect on opacification of the aorta and the pulmonary artery. The presence of artefacts on the lower part of the superior vena cava would suggest that the use of lower concentration contrast media would be advisable for specific vena cava examinations.
Lucidarme
O
O
Service de Radiologie Centrale, Hôpital de la Salpêtrière, Paris.
Mourey-Gerosa
I
I
Beigelman
C
C
Grenier
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D007479:Iopamidol
Evaluation comparative du iopamidol 300 versus 370 au cours des explorations tomodensitométriques hélicoïdales du thorax.