Multidetector CT of pancreas: effects of contrast material flow rate and individualized scan delay on enhancement of pancreas and tumor contrast.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively assess whether high contrast material flow rate (8 mL/sec) and individualized scan delay improve enhancement of normal pancreas with multidetector computed tomography (CT) and, as a result, tumor-to-pancreas contrast of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.


METHODS
Informed consent was obtained in 40 patients (21 women, 19 men; mean age, 67.1 years); the institutional review board approved this protocol. Patients were referred for multidetector CT because they were suspected of having a pancreatic tumor and were randomized to receive 150 mL of nonionic contrast material (300 mg of iodine per milliliter) at a flow rate of 4 mL/sec (n = 21) or 8 mL/sec (n = 19). Patients underwent dynamic scanning at one level every 2 seconds for 66 seconds after intravenous administration of contrast material. Contrast enhancement of pancreas and tumors was measured with circular regions of interest (analysis of variance and Bonferroni-Holm corrected post hoc t tests).


RESULTS
Peak contrast enhancement in pancreas was observed significantly earlier (mean +/- standard deviation, 28.7 seconds +/- 3.5 vs 48.2 seconds +/- 5.3; P < .05) and was significantly higher (129.0 HU +/- 25.7 vs 106.2 HU +/- 35.4, P < .05) with a flow rate of 8 mL/sec than with a flow rate of 4 mL/sec. Tumor-to-pancreas contrast greater than 40 HU lasted significantly longer with a flow rate of 8 mL/sec than with a flow rate of 4 mL/sec (26.4 seconds +/- 11.9 vs 8.6 seconds +/- 8.3, P < .05). With a flow rate of 8 mL/sec, an individualized scan delay of 19 seconds after aortic transit time revealed higher tumor-to-pancreas contrast than did a fixed scan delay, and tumor conspicuity was better.


CONCLUSIONS
With 16-section CT, increased contrast material flow rate of 8 mL/sec and individualized scan delay were associated with improved pancreatic enhancement and tumor-to-pancreas contrast compared with flow rate of 4 mL/sec and fixed scan delay.
Schueller
Gerd
G
Department of Radiology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
Schima
Wolfgang
W
Schueller-Weidekamm
Claudia
C
Weber
Michael
M
Stift
Anton
A
Gnant
Michael
M
Prokesch
Rupert
R
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007472:Iohexol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol; C038192:iopromide