title: Novel connecting tube for saline chaser in contrast-enhanced CT: the effect of spiral flow of saline on contrast enhancement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of a newly developed connecting tube, which generates a spiral flow of saline, on aortic and hepatic contrast enhancement during hepatic-arterial phase (HAP) and portal venous phase (PVP) computed tomography (CT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty patients were randomly assigned to one of two protocols: with a new or a conventional tube. The contrast material (600 mgI/kg) was delivered over 30 s; this was followed by the administration of 25 ml saline solution delivered at the same injection rate as the contrast material. Unenhanced and contrast-enhanced CT images of the upper abdomen were obtained. We calculated the changes in the CT number (∆HU) for the aorta during HAP and PVP, and for the liver during PVP. We compared ∆HU between protocols.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean ∆HU for the abdominal aorta during HAP was significantly higher with the new tube protocol than with the conventional tube protocol (322 ± 53 vs. 290 ± 53, P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the mean ∆HU for the abdominal aorta and liver during PVP between the two protocols (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new connecting tube increased the effect of a saline chaser and significantly improved aortic enhancement during HAP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Optimal administration of intravenous contrast material is essential for optimal CT quality. • A new connecting tube can generate spiral flow, which improves intravenous administration. • The new connecting tube improved aortic contrast enhancement during the hepatic-arterial phase. • The new connecting tube increased the effect of a saline chaser.
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Radiology, Amakusa Medical Center, kameba 854-1, Amakusa, Kumamoto, 863-0046, Japan, masafkidoh@yahoo.co.jp.
authors.forename: Masafumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kidoh
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakaura
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Awai
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yuba
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Young-Kwang
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Takanobu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yagi
authors.forename: Kazunori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harada
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamashita
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000295:instrumentation; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D012965:Sodium Chloride