Dynamic CTA in Native Kidneys Using a Multiphase CT Protocol-Potential of Significant Reduction of Contrast Medium

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Cardiovascular Imaging

Background:

• Renal computed tomography angiography (CTA) is crucial for diagnosing kidney conditions.
• Standard CTA protocols often require high contrast volumes, increasing risks and costs.
• Optimizing contrast delivery while maintaining diagnostic quality is a key challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess an optimized renal multiphase computed tomography angiography (MP-CTA) protocol for reducing contrast volume.
• To evaluate the diagnostic image quality and radiation dose of the optimized MP-CTA protocol.

Main Methods:

• Thirty patients underwent MP-CTA using 30 mL of contrast medium across 12 phases.
• Quantitative assessment included vessel attenuation, image noise, and contrast-to-noise ratio.
• Qualitative assessment evaluated vessel depiction, cortex differentiation, and motion artifacts.

Main Results:

• The optimized MP-CTA protocol achieved high arterial attenuation (aorta: 503 HU, renal arteries: 450 HU) with adequate image noise.
• Arterial enhancement was significantly higher than standard renal CTA (P < .001).
• Image quality for renal arteries and veins was rated as good, with minimal motion artifacts.

Conclusions:

• Optimized renal MP-CTA significantly reduces contrast volume compared to standard CTA.
• The protocol provides superior arterial enhancement and maintains excellent diagnostic image quality.
• This approach offers a safer and more effective alternative for renal angiography.