title: CT angiography of the head-and-neck vessels acquired with low tube voltage, low iodine, and iterative image reconstruction: clinical evaluation of radiation dose and image quality.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of head-and-neck Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) with low tube voltage and low concentration contrast media combined with iterative reconstruction algorithm.
  
  
  METHODS
  92 patients were randomly divided into group A and B: patients in group A received a conventional scan with 120 kVp and contrast media of 320 mgI/ml. Patients in group B, 80 kVp and contrast media of 270 mgI/ml were used along with iterative reconstruction algorithm techniques. Image quality, radiation dose and the effectively consumed iodine amount between two groups were analyzed and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Image quality of CTA of head-and-neck vessels obtained from patients in group B was significantly improved quantitatively and qualitatively. In addition, CT attenuation values in group B were also significantly higher than that in group A (p<0.001). Furthermore, compared with the protocol whereby 120 kVp and 320 mgI/dl were administrated, the mean radiation dose and consumed iodine amount in protocol B were also reduced by 50% and 15.6%, respectively (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With the help of iterative reconstruction algorithm techniques, the head-and-neck CTA with diagnostic quality can be adequately acquired with low tube voltage and low concentration contrast media. This method could be potentially extended to include any part of the body to reduce the risks related to ionizing radiation.
authors: Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang City, China.
authors: Wei-lan
authors: WL
authors: Zhang
authors: Min
authors: M
authors: Li
authors: Bo
authors: B
authors: Zhang
authors: Hai-yang
authors: HY
authors: Geng
authors: Yin-qiang
authors: YQ
authors: Liang
authors: Ke
authors: K
authors: Xu
authors: Song-bai
authors: SB
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007455:Iodine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000098:blood supply*; D011786:Quality Control; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D014054:Tomography / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007455:Iodine