Objective evaluation of vessel attenuation in multidetector-row computed tomographic pulmonary angiography using high-density contrast material for the detection of pulmonary embolism.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to analyze the pulmonary vessel enhancement obtainable using high-density contrast material and saline flushing with automated bolus tracking for multidetector-row computed tomographic (MDCT) pulmonary angiography in a routine clinical setting.


METHODS
Attenuation values of pulmonary vessels were retrospectively measured in 51 CT scans performed on a 40-channel MDCT for unselected emergency patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism.


RESULTS
Mean vascular attenuation measured 326.7 +/- 104 Hounsfield units (HU) in the pulmonary trunk and 299.1 +/- 102 HU in the left distal lower lobe artery. Mean vascular attenuation values in the distal lower lobe artery were equal or higher than 150 HU for 94.1% (48/51) of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the combination of high-density contrast media and saline flushing with automated bolus tracking on a fast CT scanner reliably results in a homogenously high attenuation of pulmonary vessels, allowing precise delineation of clots down to the subsegmental level in MDCT pulmonary angiography.
Jeltsch
Martin
M
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Ulm, Ulm, Germany. martin.jeltsch@uniklink-ulm.de
Klein
Stefan
S
Juchems
Markus S
MS
Hoffmann
Martin H K
MH
Aschoff
Andrik J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
D003287:Contrast Media; C057937:iomeprol; D007479:Iopamidol