title: Computed tomography (CT) venography with dual-energy CT: low tube voltage and dose reduction of contrast medium for detection of deep vein thrombosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess whether low-dose contrast medium and low-tube voltage computed tomography (CT) venography can be used for clinical diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study included 63 patients who were randomized into 3 groups and administered contrast medium of either 600, 500, or 400 mg of iodine per kilogram (mgI/kg). All patients underwent dual-energy CT at either 80 or 135 kilovolt (peak) (kV[p]). Control images (120 kV[p]) were acquired from them and were compared with 80-kV(p) images. The mean CT values of the bilateral femoral and popliteal veins were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean CT values of the 80-kV(p) images were significantly higher than 120-kV(p) images for all doses. No significant difference was observed for the CT values of the 80-kV(p) images with the 400-mgI/kg dose and the control images (600 mgI/kg at 120 kV[p]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low tube voltage enabled a reduction of contrast medium to 400 mgI/kg for CT venography.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Radiology, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.
authors.forename: Shintaro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ichikawa
authors.forename: Tomoaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ichikawa
authors.forename: Utaroh
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Motosugi
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Imaizumi
authors.forename: Katsuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sano
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Morisaka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods; D015900:Radiography, Dual-Energy Scanned Projection / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007479:Iopamidol