CT angiography with gadolinium-based contrast media.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the potential use of gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast media, especially that of Gadovist, a 1-molar Gd medium, in computed tomography (CT) and compare our findings with standard iodinated contrast media.


METHODS
Using a live rabbit and an acrylic CT body phantom for comparative CT imaging of Gd- and I-based media. The images were acquired at 80, 100, and 120 kVp, using fixed standard beam filtration. The phantom study used serial dilutions of the Magnevist and Ultravist 300 (2.4-molar I), whereas the animal study used different volumes of Gadovist, Magnevist (0.5 molar Gd), and Ultravist administered intravenously.


RESULTS
At 80 kVp for the same injection volumes of Gadovist and Ultravist, the image contrast enhancement of the aorta with Gadovist was 40% lower than that of Ultravist. In the phantom studies, however, for the same kVp settings the CT image contrast was up to fourfold higher for Gd compared with iodine when comparing the same molar concentrations of the two elements in the solutions.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate a potential of Gd-based media for clinical CT angiography and provide incentive for further investigation of this subject.
Bonvento
Michael J
MJ
Department of Radiology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, University Hospital, HSC Level IV Room 120, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
Moore
William H
WH
Button
Terry M
TM
Weinmann
Hanns-Joachim
HJ
Yakupov
Renat
R
Dilmanian
F Avraham
FA
D000818:Animals; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D007472:Iohexol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011817:Rabbits; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C090600:gadobutrol; D007472:Iohexol; C038192:iopromide; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA