CT Angiography Covering Both Cervical and Cerebral Arteries Using Contrast Material with a Reduced Dose and Higher Concentration on a 16-Detector Row System: Effect of the Iodine Delivery Rate and a Saline Flush

Abstract

We assessed the effect of iodine delivery rates (IDRs) and a saline flush in CT angiography that covered both cervical and cerebral arteries when a contrast material of higher concentration (350 mgI/mL) was employed. In three patient groups whose CT angiography was performed at different IDRs with or without a saline flush, we measured the attenuation of target vessels and visually evaluated the images obtained. Our results indicated that a higher IDR was effective to increase the attenuation value of both cervical and cerebral arteries without changing that of the venous system, although it did not significantly affect visualization of these vessels. Further, the addition of a saline flush could reduce the injection speed without a decrease in the attenuation of the target vessels.