Multidetector-row computed tomographic angiography of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms: comparison of arterial enhancement with 3 different doses of contrast material.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the quality of multidetector-row computed tomographic angiography in patients with and without aortic aneurysms by 3 different amounts of contrast media (CM).


METHODS
A total of 115 patients with aortic aneurysms were divided into 3 groups: group A, 100 mL CM; group B, 75 mL CM with 20 mL saline flush (SF); and group C, 50 mL CM with 20 mL SF. Twenty-five patients without aortic aneurysms were also enrolled (group D, 50 mL CM with 20 mL SF). Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed by measuring attenuation in thoracoabdominal/aortoiliac lumen, aneurysmal lumen, and superior vena cava.


RESULTS
In group C, attenuation was lower in distal than those in proximal and middle areas (P < 0.05). Contrast enhancement in abdominal aneurysmal lumen was more inhomogeneous in group C (P = 0.003). Visual analysis showed contrast enhancement was more nonuniform in group C (P = 0.004), and perivenous artifacts were more conspicuous in group A (P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Seventy-five milliliters CM followed by 20 mL SF can produce optimal contrast enhancement at systemic multidetector-row computed tomographic angiography in patients with aortic aneurysms.
Kubo
Shigeto
S
Department of Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. skubo@bidmc.harvard.edu
Tadamura
Eiji
E
Yamamuro
Masaki
M
Kanao
Shotaro
S
Kataoka
Milliam Lika
ML
Takahashi
Masaya
M
Kimura
Takeshi
T
Kita
Toru
T
Komeda
Masashi
M
Togashi
Kaori
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007472:Iohexol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media; C057937:iomeprol; D007472:Iohexol; D007479:Iopamidol