High-concentration contrast media in multiphasic abdominal multidetector-row computed tomography: effect of increased iodine flow rate on parenchymal and vascular enhancement.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of the iodine flow rate on parenchymal and vascular enhancement during multiphasic abdominal multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT).

METHODS

Fifteen patients underwent MDCT at an iodine flow rate of 1.2 g/s as well as 1.6 g/s (group A, protocols 1 and 2), and 90 patients underwent MDCT at an iodine flow rate of 1.2 g/s (group B) or 1.6 g/s (group C). Measurements were performed for all groups in the liver, spleen, pancreas, portal vein, inferior vena cava, and abdominal aorta.

RESULTS

Aortal and pancreatic enhancement during the arterial phase was significantly higher with the higher iodine flow rate. The mean difference in aortal enhancement was 60 Hounsfield units (HU) between protocols 1 and 2 of group A, and the mean difference was 70 HU between groups B and C. The mean difference in pancreatic enhancement was 10 HU between protocols 1 and 2 of group A and 17 HU between groups B and C. During the portal and hepatic venous phases, no significant difference in enhancement was observed.

CONCLUSION

A high iodine flow rate in multiphasic abdominal MDCT improves enhancement of the aorta and the pancreas during the arterial phase but does not influence later phases.