[Gadolinium-enhanced thoracic CTA: retrospective analysis of image quality and tolerability in 45 patients evaluated prior to the description of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the accuracy and torerability of gadolinium-enhanced thoracic CTA using a 64 MDCT compared to a 16 MDCT. Because this study was started prior to the description of NSF, particular attention was paid to long-term follow-up of the patient population.


METHODS
The study protocol was approved by the ethics committee of our institution and informed consent was obtained from all patients. Fourteen patients (Group 1) (9 males and 5 females; mean age: 64.3 years) with contraindication to the administration of iodinated contrast material underwent thoracic CTA (collimation: 32 x 2 x 0.6 mm; pitch: 1.2) with gadolinium administration (0.5 mml/ml) at 0.4 mmol/kg injected at 6 ml/sec with evaluation of clinical and biological tolerability of the gadolinium based contrast agent. Results from this patient population were compared to results from a population of 31 patients (21 males; 10 females; mean age: 63.2 years) (Group 2) imaged on a 16 MDCT. All patients were folloowed-up for a mean time of 22.6 months.


RESULTS
Using a mean contrast volume (standard deviation) that was not significantly different (Group 1: 54.8+/-11 ml; Group 2: 53.4+/-6.9 ml) (p=0.94), patients in Group 1 underwent complete thoracic CTA whereas patients in Group 2 underwent CTA of only the middle third of the thoracic region. All CTA examinations were diagnostic for Group 1 and Group 2 patients; however, evaluation of subsegmental vessels was possible in a significantly larger proportion of patients in Group 1 (10/14; 72%) compared to Group 2 (6/31; 19%) (p=0.003). Mean attenuation values within pulmonary arterial branches were similar for Groups 1 and 2 (central arteries: 194.5+/-51.3 HU vs 180.6+/-53.8 HU; p=0.38) (lobar arteries: 208.5+/-52.5 HU vs 189.9+/-60.1 HU; p=0.33) (segmental arteries: 220.4+/-50.4 HU vs 201.5+/-54.7 HU; p=0.42). Transient alteration of renal function was recorded in one patient from Group 1 with severe pre-existing chronic renal failure. No change in renal function was observed for Group 2 patients. No case of NSF was reported in patients with pre-existing renal failure at the time of enrollment.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of gadolinium-based contrast agent for thoracic CTA using a 64 MDCT provides diagnostic quality examinations in all patients with improved image quality compared to a 16 MDCT. No complication other than transient alteration of renal function was observed. Because the likelihood of developing NSF may vary with the type of gadolinium-based contrast agent used, the least toxic agent should be used.
Service de Radiologie Thoracique, Hôpital Albert Calmette, CHRU de Lille, Lille, France.
L
L
Smadja
M
M
Rémy-Jardin
P
P
Dupuis
V
V
Deken-Delannoy
P
P
Devos
A
A
Duhamel
J J
JJ
Laffitte
P
P
Dequiedt
J
J
Rémy
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054989:Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA