Sequential changes in the CT numbers of the normal canine kidney following intravenous contrast administration. I. The renal cortex.

Using a 30-second computed tomography (CT) scanner, the sequential changes in CT numbers of the kidney were determined in three healthy dogs after intravenous administration of sodium and meglumine diatrizoate and iothalamate. For all contrast media, the mean CT number of the cortex was greatest within 2 minutes of rapid intravenous administration. At doses comparable to those used clinically, a linear relationship was demonstrated between the amount of iodine administered (in mg/kg body weight) and the corrected peak mean CT number of the cortex, such that doubling the amount of iodine caused the corrected peak mean CT number of the cortex to approximately double. Following the peak, the mean CT number of the cortex gradually declined. For all contrast media, the corrected mean CT number to corrected peak mean CT number ratios at 5, 10 and 20 minutes were 58 +/- 3%, 39 +/- 3%, and 28 +/- 5% respectively. Our data suggest that rapid-sequence CT may be a valuable tool for evaluating the physiology of renal contrast media excretion.