Pancreatic adenocarcinoma: analysis of the effect of various concentrations of contrast material.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of two contrast materials with moderate and high iodine concentrations for the depiction of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.


METHODS
A series of 107 patients with histologically proven pancreatic adenocarcinoma underwent helical computed tomography. A fixed dose of 100 ml of iopamidol 300 (mg I/ml) was administered to 50 patients (group A) and iopamidol 370 (mg I/ml) to 57 patients (group B) at the same injection rate (3 ml/s). Unenhanced helical scans and contrast-enhanced scans for three phases (30, 70, and 300 s after starting the infusion of contrast material) were obtained. We evaluated enhancement of the aorta, portal vein, hepatic parenchyma, pancreatic parenchyma, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma during each phase.


RESULTS
During all phases, both aortic and pancreatic enhancement were significantly greater in group B than in group A (P<0.01). Enhancement of the portal vein and hepatic parenchyma was significantly greater at 70 and 300 s in group B than in group A (both P<0.01). Tumor-to-pancreas contrast was significantly greater in group B than in group A at both 30 s (P<0.01) and 70 s (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Administration of contrast material with a high iodine concentration is more effective for depicting pancreatic adenocarcinomas.
Fukukura
Yoshihiko
Y
Department of Radiology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan. yoshihiko2002jp@yahoo.co.jp
Hamada
Hiroyuki
H
Kamiyama
Takuro
T
Yoneyama
Tomohide
T
Takumi
Koji
K
Nakajo
Masayuki
M
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media; D007479:Iopamidol