[Multislice CT angiography in the study of aneurysm of the abdominal aorta: comparison of three different volumes of contrast agent].
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively and quantitatively compare the use of different volumes of contrast in 16-slice CT angiography for the study of aneurysms of the abdominal aorta before and/or after treatment.


METHODS
From November 2005 to March 2006, we included 63 consecutive patients referred for CT angiography for aneurysm of the abdominal aorta or for post-treatment follow-up. Each patient was randomly assigned to one of three groups: group A was administered 100 mL of contrast agent, group B 80 mL, and group C 60 mL. In all cases, contrast was administered with 40 mL of physiological serum at a rate of 4 ml/s. A 16-detector CT scanner was used. In the last 61 patients, attenuation was measured in different locations using circular ROIs. Hounsfield units were recorded in the first slice (initial contrast), in the last slice (final contrast), at their maximum value, and also at one-second intervals.


RESULTS
No statistically significant differences in the Hounsfield units recorded in the first slice, in the last slice, or in the maximum values were found between the different groups. Mean values were above 200 in 58 of 61 patients. Weight and body mass index (BMI) were negatively correlated with aortoiliac attenuation.


CONCLUSIONS
Using a 16-detector CT scanner enables the volume of contrast for studies of aneurysms of the abdominal aorta to be reduced considerably; however, 60 mL might not be sufficient for patients with high weight or BMI.
Fortuño Andrés
J R
JR
Unidad de Radiología Vascular e intervencionista. Corporación Sanitaria Parc Taulí. Hospital de Sabadell. Barcelona. España. JFortuno@tauli.cat
Falco i Fages
J
J
Perendreu i Sans
J
J
Branera i Pujol
J
J
Bermúdez Bencerrey
P
P
Bellmunt i Montoya
S
S
Safont i Sala
M Rosa
MR
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007472:Iohexol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol; C038192:iopromide