Feasibility of a fixed scan delay technique using a previous bolus tracking technique data for dynamic hepatic CT

• Published in: European journal of radiology Vol. 81; no. 11; pp. 2996 - 3001
• Main Authors: Takumi, Koji, Fukukura, Yoshihiko, Shindo, Toshikazu, Kumagae, Yuichi, Tateyama, Akihiro, Kamiyama, Takuro, Nakajo, Masayuki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.11.2012
• Subjects: Algorithms; Bolus tracking; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - diagnostic imaging; Contrast Media - administration & dosage; Feasibility Studies; Female; HCC; Humans; Iodine - administration & dosage; Liver Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Male; Radiographic Image Enhancement - methods; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods; Radiology; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; CT; Bolus tracking; HCC
• ISSN: 0720-048X; 1872-7727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2012.02.022

Abstract Objective To compare the quality of contrast enhancement and hepatic CT images acquired using bolus tracking technique at two different time points and those acquired with fixed scan delay technique using a previous bolus tracking data. Materials and methods Fifty patients who underwent 3 different hepatic CT exams (25-s fixed injection of 600 mg iodine (I)/kg or 100 mL of 370 mg I/mL nonionic contrast medium) were enrolled. The first and second exams were performed with a bolus tracking technique. The third exam was performed with a fixed scan delay technique using the first exam data. Differences in attenuation values in the abdominal organs were examined and evaluated visually on hepatic arterial phase images. Results There was no significant difference in the mean 50-HU threshold times between the first and second bolus tracking exams with intra-patient differences between them (1.3 ± 0.9 s). No significant intra-patient differences were noted in organ attenuation and visual evaluation on hepatic arterial phase images between the 3 exams. Conclusion The fixed scan delay technique using a previous bolus tracking data is feasible for hepatic CT exams to follow up hepatocellular carcinoma.