[Studies on contrast enhancement in gynecologic pelvic computed tomography (author's transl)]

Contrast enhancement (CE) can be employed to enhance the accuracy of CT (computed tomography) scanning, which has not yet been established with little clarified clinical significance of CE in abdominal region, particularly in gynecologic field. Following results were obtained through determination of sequential changes in serum level of meglumine iothalamate, a contrast material of CE, with which 58 female patients were treated for CT scanning of pelvic lesion. 1) Concentrations in serum determined by ultraviolet absorption through 3 wave length spectrophotometry being excellent and of convenience, when deproteinization is conducted, was correlated with the value obtained through one wave length method, indicating Y = 1.021 X-0.069 (r = 0.987). 2) Scanning initiated immediately after I.V. instillation of 220ml of 30% meglumine iothalamate solution for 7-16 minutes may elicit a nearly definite response with slight changes in serum level during the period of being CT scanning taken. 3) A significant correlation, i.e., Y = 2.78 X +3.75 (r = 0.814, p less than 0.001), Y = 2.11 X +2.63 (r = 0.879, p less than 0.001) between enhancement of attenuation values (EMI units: 500 scale) in normal myometrium and myoma uteri due to contrast infusion and serum levels of meglumine iothalamate was observed. This enhancement (an increased number) indicated a different regression coefficient in each tissue examined. 4) The ratio between aforementioned two parameters (I/S rates) can be considered as a favorable index for CT scanning.