title: Multi-slice computed tomography 5-minute delayed scan is superior to immediate scan after contrast media application in characterization of intracranial tuberculosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to determine whether the diagnosis of intracranial tuberculosis (TB) can be improved when multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) scans are taken with a 5-min delay after contrast media application.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre- and post-contrast CT scans of the head were obtained from 30 patients using a 16-slice spiral CT. Dual-phase acquisition was performed immediately and 5 min after contrast agent injection. Diagnostic values of different images were compared using a scoring system applied by 2 experienced radiologists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found 526 lesions in 30 patients, including 22 meningeal thickenings, 235 meningeal tuberculomas/tubercles, and 269 parenchymal tuberculomas/tubercles. Images obtained with 5-min delayed scan time were superior in terms of lesion size and meningeal thickening outlining in all disease types (P<0.01). The ability to distinguish between vascular sections from the cerebral sulcus and tubercle was also improved (P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Image acquisition with 5-min delay after contrast agent injection should be performed as a standard scanning protocol to diagnose intracranial TB.
authors.affiliation: Division of Computed Tomography, Department of Radiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Thoracic Hospital, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Dailun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: Division of Computed Tomography, Department of Radiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Thoracic Hospital, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Huifang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.affiliation: Division of Computed Tomography, Department of Radiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Thoracic Hospital, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Division of Computed Tomography, Department of Radiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Shandong Chest Hospital, Jinan, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Division of Computed Tomography, Department of Radiology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Thoracic Hospital, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors.forename: Xiangxing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008578:Meninges / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016862:Tuberculoma, Intracranial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media