[Contrast medium injection on CT during hepatic arteriography: comparison of two protocols]

To assess the optimum method of contrast medium injection on CT during hepatic arteriography (CTHA), we performed this procedure in 37 patients using two consecutive protocols (A and B) employing different concentrations of iodine (iohexol at 140 mgI/ml and 300-350 mgI/ml), flow rates (2 ml/sec and 1 ml/sec), and contrast medium volumes (60 ml and 30 ml). Mean parenchymal enhancement of the right lobe and left lateral segment were measured and compared. Enhancement varied significantly more with protocol B, especially in the left lateral segment. These results suggest that a low iodine concentration and high injection rate are suitable for CTHA, to avoid nonuniform parenchymal enhancement.