Contrast-enhanced CT with saline flush technique using two automated injectors: how much contrast medium does it save?
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2026

High-Resolution Cardiac Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography for Small Animals
Published on: December 16, 2022
Toshiyuki Irie1, Motonao Kajitani, Masayuki Yamaguchi
1Department of Radiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Purpose:
The purpose of this work was to investigate the volume of contrast medium saved by the saline flush technique.
Method:
Thoracic helical CT was performed by injecting 75 ml of contrast material (Ioversol 320) only (n = 25; Group A) or 75 ml of contrast medium pushed with 6 ml (n = 25; Group B), 12 ml (n = 25; Group C), 25 ml (n = 25; Group D), or 50 ml (n = 25; Group E) of saline at a rate of 2 ml/s. The aortic CT numbers were measured from 30 to 55 s after the beginning of injection. We compared the time to peak aortic enhancement (TPAE) among Groups A-E.
Results:
The TPAEs of the Groups A-E were 42.6, 45.2, 48.6, 48.4, and 48.3 s, respectively, and there was a statistically significant difference among them (p < 0.0001, analysis of variance). Post hoc test revealed statistically significant differences in TPAE between Groups A and B, C, D, and E and between Groups B and C, D, and E but no differences among Groups C, D, and E.
Conclusion:
The saline flush technique prolongs TPAE by 6 s and saves 12 ml of contrast medium.
More Related Videos
08:13In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
Published on: February 16, 2016
09:00Spatial Measurements of Perfusion, Interstitial Fluid Pressure and Liposomes Accumulation in Solid Tumors
Published on: August 18, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
Imaging Studies VII: Vascular Imaging
Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography
Types of Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
TTE is the most common type of echocardiogram which involves placing a transducer on the patient's chest, emitting sound waves to create heart images. TTE is invaluable for evaluating the heart's size, structure, and motion, making it particularly useful for diagnosing...