title: Comparison of enhancement and image quality: different iodine concentrations for liver on 128-slice multidetector computed tomography in the same chronic liver disease patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to compare the degree of hepatic enhancement and image quality using contrast media of different iodine concentrations with the same iodine dose.
  
  
  METHODS
  From July 2011 to June 2013, 50 patients with chronic liver disease who underwent baseline and follow-up 128-slice multidetector computed tomography(MDCT) using contrast media with 350 mg I/mL (group A) and 400 mg I/mL (group B) iodine concentrations were included in this prospective study. The patients were randomly allocated to one of two protocols: 350 mg I/mL initially and then 400 mg I/mL; and 400 mg I/mL initially and then 350 mg I/mL. The bolus tracking technique was used to initiate the arterial phase scan. The computed tomography values of hepatic parenchyma, abdominal aorta and portal vein were measured. The degrees of hepatic and vascular enhancement were rated on a 4-point scale for qualitative assessment. The paired Student t test was used to compare outcome variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean hepatic enhancement was significantly higher in group B than in group A during the portal (p = 0.025) and equilibrium phases (p = 0.021). In all phases, group B had significantly higher mean liver-to-aorta contrast (p < 0.05) and mean visual scores for hepatic and vascular enhancement (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that a higher iodine concentration (400 mg I/mL) in contrast media was more effective at improving hepatic enhancement in portal and equilibrium phase images and overall image quality using 128-slice MDCT in chronic liver disease patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Byoung Goo
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Jo
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Yun Gyu
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Goon
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Wook
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D015588:Observer Variation; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D056910:Republic of Korea; D014796:Visual Perception
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; C057937:iomeprol; D007479:Iopamidol
keywords: Contrast media; Iodine; Liver; Multidetector computed tomography