Chest CT Using Low-concentration Iodine Contrast Media
brief summary
This study aims to evaluate the quality of images when low-concentration iodine contrast agents is used in chest CT with low tube voltage and if they can be used in routine imaging. The primary endpoint of the study was the quality of the image and comparison of chest CT by using low and conventional concentration iodine contrast agents with low tube voltage and chest CT by using the conventional concentration iodine contrast agents with the conventional tube voltage; The secondary endpoint is optimizing chest CT protocol using an iodine contrast agent.
detailed description
With persistent advances in computed tomography (CT) technology, there is a need for continuous investigation and optimization of injection protocols. Intravenous contrast enhancement in CT is affected by various interacting factors, which can be roughly divided into 3 categories: patient, contrast medium and CT scanning. Over the last decade, evolutions in technology has resulted in faster CTs with improved temporal and spatial resolutions; newer techniques such as iterative reconstruction has enabled lower tube voltage (expressed in units of peak kiloVolt, kVp) and lower dose CTs with less noise and preserved image quality. As CT scanning is one of the major determinants of contrast enhancement at CT, such technological advances in CT can be assumed to have invariably caused alterations in the degree of contrast enhancement at CT. However, despite changes in CT scanning techniques, recommended contrast injection protocol for chest CT with enhancement (CECT), including concentration of iodine contrast material, have not changed over the last decade; for routine chest CECT, the use of 300-350 mgI/ml iodine contrast material has been recommended without definitely stating the precise reasons using that specific iodine concentration.
Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the image quality of low voltage chest CECT using LCCM(Low-Concentration Iodinated Contrast Media.
official title
Chest CT Using Low-concentration Iodine Contrast Media - a Prospective Multicenter Comparative Study