[Parameters influencing hepatic parenchyma enhancement in x-ray computed tomography after intravenous injection of iodinated contrast medium].

With the widespread use of spiral CT, a complete reassessment of intravenous injection of contrast material for body computed tomography is necessary. An optimal administration of contrast material with respect to scan timing is indeed more critical with spiral CT. Numerous factors affect hepatic contrast enhancement time-attenuation curves after injection of contrast material into a peripheral vein. Some are patient related, while other result from the modalities of administration of the iodinated agent. The objective of this article is to review the most contributive factors in liver enhancement after iodine injection. Knowledge of these factors can optimize the use of spiral CT, with the expected benefit of saving costs in contrast material.