Radiology, Vol 197, 89-93, Copyright © 1995 by Radiological Society of North America

ARTICLES

Hepatic helical CT: effect of reduction of iodine dose of intravenous contrast material on hepatic contrast enhancement

PC Freeny, JC Gardner, G vonIngersleben, S Heyano, HV Nghiem and TC Winter
Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98195, USA.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of a reduction in iodine dose by altering volume and/or concentration of contrast material on hepatic contrast enhancement (HCE) values during hepatic helical computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred eleven patients were randomized into four contrast material protocols according to concentration (in milligrams of iodine per milliliter)/volume (in milliliters)/grams of iodine: group 1, ioversol, 320/150/48; group 2, ioversol, 320/100/32; group 3, iohexol, 300/150/45; group 4, ioversol, 300/100/30. Helical CT protocols were identical for the four groups. Time-attenuation curves were constructed; the mean HCE, contrast enhancement index (CEI), and optimal liver scanning interval (OLSI) were calculated; and the results were compared statistically. RESULTS;: Time-attenuation curves, mean HCE, CEI, and OLSI of groups 1 and 3 were significantly superior to those for groups 2 and 4. Decrease in volume from 150 to 100 mliters decreased mean HCE by 27%, CEI by 69%, and OLSI from 80%-100% to 0%-43% at threshold levels of 40-60 HU. CONCLUSION: Decrease in iodine dose from 45-48 g to 30-32 g significantly decreases all HCE values, which potentially decreases detection of focal hypovascular hepatic lesions.

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