Optimal Scan Delay for Computed Tomographic Evaluation of the Canine Pancreas Using a Fixed Injection Duration...

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Radiology
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Canine Anatomy

Background:

• Pancreatic diseases require consistent computed tomographic (CT) evaluation for detection.
• Pancreatic attenuation and contrast enhancement patterns are key indicators of pathology and prognosis.
• Establishing normal enhancement patterns in canine pancreas CT is essential for accurate assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the optimal CT scan delay for evaluating the canine pancreas.
• To identify peak contrast enhancement of the pancreatic parenchyma, aorta, and portal vein.
• To establish reference timing for pancreatic CT imaging in dogs.

Main Methods:

• A mixed retrospective and prospective analytical study involving 69 canine patients.
• Iohexol contrast agent administered intravenously over a fixed 20-second injection duration.
• Bolus tracking used for aortic contrast arrival detection, with scans acquired at various post-aortic arrival delays (5-180 seconds).

Main Results:

• Statistical modeling revealed sequential enhancement phases: arterial (5-10s), pancreatic (15-20s), and portovenous (20-35s) post-aortic arrival.
• Peak contrast enhancement of the pancreatic parenchyma occurred between 15 and 20 seconds.
• Peak enhancement of the portal vein was observed between 20 and 35 seconds.

Conclusions:

• Optimal CT scan delays for canine pancreas evaluation are established.
• The arterial, pancreatic, and portovenous phases occur sequentially, with peak pancreatic enhancement at 15-20 seconds.
• These findings optimize diagnostic accuracy for pancreatic diseases in dogs using CT.