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Reduction of contrast material volume in 3D angiography of the brain using MDCT
Yoshitaka Tamura1, Daisuke Utsunomiya, Takashi Sakamoto
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto-shi, Japan.
Objective:
Our aim was to investigate the image quality of MDCT angiography of the brain at a low-volume of contrast material.
Subjects And Methods:
One hundred patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups, which differed with regard to contrast material volume and subsequent saline bolus: group A was administered 300 mg I/mL, 50 mL at an injection rate of 3.0 mL/s followed by a 20-mL saline bolus at 3.0 mL/s; group B was administered 300 mg I/mL, 100 mL at 3.0 mL/s. Of 100 total patients, 82 were analyzed: 45 in group A and 37 in group B. The attenuation and visualization of intracranial arteries were compared between the two groups. The regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn throughout the data set: internal carotid artery (ROI 1), anterior cerebral artery (ROI 2), middle cerebral artery (ROI 3), vertebral artery (ROI 4), basilar artery (ROI 5), and posterior cerebral artery (ROI 6). The differences were assessed with a Student's t test. Two readers evaluated images and graded vascular delineation of intracranial arteries by consensus.
Results:
Eighty-two patients were investigated strictly according to the study protocol and were included in the per-protocol population. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in average attenuation (p = 0.21) and visual analysis (p = 0.84).
Conclusion:
When performing 3D angiography of the brain using 16-MDCT, the use of a 20-mL saline flush allows reduction of contrast material from 100 mL to 50 mL if all other factors are unchanged.
Insights
Reducing contrast material in brain MDCT angiography from 100 mL to 50 mL with a saline flush maintains image quality. This low-volume contrast technique is effective for brain imaging.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Neuroradiology
Background:
- MDCT angiography is crucial for brain imaging.
- Optimizing contrast material volume is essential for patient safety and cost-effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the image quality of brain MDCT angiography using a reduced volume of contrast material.
- To determine if a lower contrast volume with a saline flush impacts diagnostic accuracy.
Main Methods:
- 100 patients were randomized into two groups receiving either 50 mL or 100 mL of contrast material.
- Image quality was assessed by measuring attenuation and visualizing intracranial arteries.
- Statistical analysis (Student's t test) and consensus grading by two readers were performed.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in average attenuation were found between the low-volume (50 mL) and standard-volume (100 mL) contrast groups (p = 0.21).
- Visual analysis of intracranial artery delineation showed no significant differences between the groups (p = 0.84).
- The 50 mL contrast group with a 20 mL saline flush yielded comparable results to the 100 mL group.
Conclusions:
- A 50 mL contrast material volume with a 20 mL saline flush is sufficient for high-quality 3D brain angiography using 16-MDCT.
- This approach allows for a significant reduction in contrast material without compromising image quality.
- The findings support the use of lower contrast volumes in brain MDCT angiography.
