Contrast enhancement in chest multidetector computed tomography: intraindividual comparison of 300 mg/ml versus 400 mg/ml iodinated contrast medium.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to intraindividually compare intravascular contrast enhancement in multidector computed tomography (MDCT) of the chest using contrast media (CM) containing 300 and 400 mg iodine/ml.


METHODS
Seventy-one patients underwent repeated MDCT scanning of the chest at baseline and follow-up. CM with standard iodine (protocol A: 300 mg iodine/ml; Iopromide 300) and high iodine concentration (protocol B: 400 mg iodine/ml; Iomeprol 400) were used. The iodine delivery rate (1.29 g iodine/s) and total iodine load (37 g iodine) were identical for the two protocols. Contrast enhancement was measured in the right and left ventricles, pulmonary trunk, right and left pulmonary arteries, and ascending and descending aortas. Results were compared using paired t-tests; P values were adjusted using Bonferroni correction (P <or= .005).


RESULTS
Contrast enhancement values showed no statistically significant differences between the two protocols at all anatomic sites (all P > .005). In the right ventricle, pulmonary trunk, and right and left pulmonary arteries, higher attenuation values for protocol A were detected compared to protocol B (379.0 +/- 110.5 vs. 349.8 +/- 117.6, 354.5 +/- 112.2 vs 330.9 +/- 118.3, 348.6 +/- 106.0 vs. 321.8 +/- 109.9, and 347.9 +/- 102.4 vs. 321.0 +/- 104.9 HU, respectively). After the lung circulation (left ventricle, ascending aorta, and descending aorta), attenuation values were marginally higher for protocol B. Using both protocols resulted in suitable contrast enhancement with a mean pulmonary attenuation higher than 300 HU.


CONCLUSIONS
Using an adapted injection protocol, the administration of 300 and 400 mg iodine CM resulted in a suitable intravascular contrast enhancement in the chest. The use of 400 mg iodine CM does not lead to a statistically significant improvement in contrast enhancement compared to the 300 mg iodine CM.
Behrendt
Florian F
FF
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany. behrendt@rad.rwth-aachen.de
Plumhans
Cedric
C
Keil
Sebastian
S
Mühlenbruch
Georg
G
Das
Marco
M
Seidensticker
Peter
P
Mutscher
Christina
C
Günther
Rolf W
RW
Mahnken
Andreas H
AH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; C057937:iomeprol; D007479:Iopamidol