title: The optimal contrast media policy in CT of the liver. Part I: Technical notes.
abstract: Latest developments of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), which is today considered a real volumetric technique, have revolutionized abdominal imaging. Technological improvements such as higher spatial resolution, larger volume coverage and higher temporal resolution, have reduced scan times allowing CT studies of the abdomen within a single breath-hold. Furthermore, the increased number of slices, the submillimetric collimation, and the use of multiple dynamic post-contrast phases per single examination, may all contribute to increase the radiation exposure of single patients. The aim of this review is to discuss different parameters affecting contrast media enhancement, as vascular enhancement, parenchymal enhancement and timing, in order to minimize the amount of contrast medium injected and the radiation exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, University of Rome Sapienza, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rengo
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bellini
authors.forename: Carlo N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: De Cecco
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Osimani
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vecchietti
authors.forename: Damiano
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: Marco M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Maceroni
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lucchesi
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Iafrate
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paolantonio
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laghi
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media