title: Feasibility of low-concentration iodinated contrast medium with lower-tube-voltage dual-source CT aortography using iterative reconstruction: comparison with automatic exposure control CT aortography.
abstract: To evaluate the feasibility of low-concentration contrast medium (CM) for vascular enhancement, image quality, and radiation dose on computed tomography aortography (CTA) using a combined low-tube-voltage and iterative reconstruction (IR) technique. Ninety subjects underwent dual-source CT (DSCT) operating in dual-source, high-pitch mode. DSCT scans were performed using both high-concentration CM (Group A, n = 50; Iomeprol 400) and low-concentration CM (Group B, n = 40; Iodixanol 270). Group A was scanned using a reference tube potential of 120 kVp and 120 reference mAs under automatic exposure control with IR. Group B was scanned using low-tube-voltage (80 or 100 kVp if body mass index ≥25 kg/m(2)) at a fixed current of 150 mAs, along with IR. Images of the two groups were compared regarding attenuation, image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), iodine load, and radiation dose in various locations of the CTA. In comparison between Group A and Group B, the average mean attenuation (454.73 ± 86.66 vs. 515.96 ± 101.55 HU), SNR (25.28 ± 4.34 vs. 31.29 ± 4.58), and CNR (21.83 ± 4.20 vs. 27.55 ± 4.81) on CTA in Group B showed significantly greater values and significantly lower image noise values (18.76 ± 2.19 vs. 17.48 ± 3.34) than those in Group A (all Ps < 0.05). Homogeneous contrast enhancement from the ascending thoracic aorta to the infrarenal abdominal aorta was significantly superior in Group B (P < 0.05). Low-concentration CM and a low-tube-voltage combination technique using IR is a feasible method, showing sufficient contrast enhancement and image quality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, 282 Munhwa-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon, 301-721, Korea.
authors.forename: Hee Jeong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, 282 Munhwa-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon, 301-721, Korea. haneul88@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Song Soo
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Hyeong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin-Ok
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Seon Ah
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, 282 Munhwa-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon, 301-721, Korea.
authors.forename: Byung Seok
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, 282 Munhwa-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon, 301-721, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Sook
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Moonsang
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods*; D001331:Automation; D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D000069079:Radiation Exposure; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids; C057937:iomeprol; C044834:iodixanol; D007479:Iopamidol
keywords: CT aortography; Contrast medium; Dual-source CT; Iterative reconstruction; Radiation dose