Optimization of scan delay for routine abdominal 64-slice CT with body weight-adapted application of contrast material.
OBJECTIVE
Determination of an adequate scan delay for routine abdominal 64-slice CT examinations with body weight-adapted contrast application.


METHODS
57 patients underwent abdominal CT with a 64-slice scanner. The contrast material was adapted to patient body weight. All patients were randomized into five groups with varying scan delay and scan direction (group 1: delay 65 sec; group 2: 75 sec; group 3: 85 sec, craniocaudal; group 4: 85 sec, caudocranial; group 5: 95 sec). Two blinded radiologists evaluated the image quality. CT values (HU) were obtained in different segments of the aorta, inferior vena cava, iliac veins, portal vein, hepatic veins and liver, spleen and pancreas. Statistical analysis was performed using the independent sample t-test and ANOVA test.


RESULTS
The diagnostic acceptability of protocols 3 and 4 were rated equally good and significantly/substantially superior to protocol 1 (p = 0.004/0.008) and protocol 5, respectively. Contrast enhancement in the aorta and portal vein peaked at 65 sec. Contrast enhancement in the hepatic and iliac veins peaked at 85 sec independently of the scan direction but was substantially lower at 75 sec. Liver parenchyma enhancement was lowest at 95 sec.


CONCLUSIONS
This data suggests an optimal scan delay for routine abdominal 64-slice CT of 85 sec regardless of scan direction.
Tschugunow
A
A
Institut für Klinische Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster. a.tschugunow@uni-muenster.de
Puesken
M
M
Juergens
K U
KU
Beyer
F
F
Buerke
B
B
Seifarth
H
H
Heindel
W
W
Wessling
J
J
D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001027:Aortography; D001835:Body Weight; D002445:Celiac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006503:Hepatic Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010179:Pancreas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013154:Spleen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
D003287:Contrast Media; C057937:iomeprol; D007479:Iopamidol