Contrast CT, or contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), is X-ray computed tomography (CT) using radiocontrast. Radiocontrasts for X-ray CT are generally iodine-based types.[1] This is useful to highlight structures such as blood vessels that otherwise would be difficult to delineate from their surroundings. Using contrast material can also help to obtain functional information about tissues. Often, images are taken both with and without radiocontrast. CT images are called precontrast or native-phase images before any radiocontrast has been administered, and postcontrast after radiocontrast administration.[2]
Bolus tracking
Bolus tracking is a technique to optimize timing of the imaging. A small bolus of radio-opaque contrast media is injected into a patient via a peripheral intravenous cannula. Depending on the vessel being imaged, the volume of contrast is tracked using a region of interest (abbreviated "R.O.I.") at a certain level and then followed by the CT scanner once it reaches this level. Images are acquired at a rate as fast as the contrast moving through the blood vessels.[citation needed]
"Washout" is where tissue loads radiocontrast during arterial phase, but then returns to a rather hypodense state in venous or later phases. This is a property of for example hepatocellular carcinoma as compared to the rest of the liver parenchyma.[3]
Phases
Depending on the purpose of the investigation, there are standardized protocols for time intervals between intravenous radiocontrast administration and image acquisition, in order to visualize the dynamics of contrast enhancements in different organs and tissues.[4] The main phases thereof are as follows:[5]
CT angiography is a contrast CT taken at the location and corresponding phase of the blood vessels of interest, in order to detect vascular diseases. For example, an abdominal aortic angiography is taken in the arterial phase in the abdominal level, and is useful to detect for example aortic dissection.[10]
Amount
Adults
The following table shows the preferable volume in normal weight adults. However, dosages may need to be adjusted or even withheld in patients with risks of iodinated contrast, such as hypersensitivity reactions, contrast-induced nephropathy, effects on thyroid function or adverse drug interactions.[citation needed]
When using specific low-contrast protocol.[notes 4]
The dose should be adjusted in those not having normal body weight, and in such cases the adjustment should be proportional to the lean body mass of the person. In obese patients, the Boer formula is the method of choice (at least in those with body mass index (BMI) between 35 and 40):[12]
For men: Lean body mass = (0.407 × W) + (0.267 × H) − 19.2
For women: Lean body mass = (0.252 × W) + (0.473 × H) − 48.3
^ abcdThe liver generally needs an enhancement of at least 30 HU for proper evaluation according to:
Multislice CT (3 ed.). Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. KG. 2010. ISBN9783642069680.
In males at 30 years of age, there is an estimated 0.027 HU of liver parenchymal enhancement per kilogram of body weight and per gram of iodine, when injected at 4 ml per second, according to:
This example takes the example of a man with a typical weight of 70 kg.
^ abcCT-angiography in a 70kg person, with 100-150 mg I/kg by using 80 kVp, mAs-compensation for constant CNR, fixed injection duration adapted to scan time, automatic bolus tracking and a saline chaser, according to:
Nyman, Ulf (2012). "Contrast Medium-Induced Nephropathy (CIN) Gram-Iodine/GFR Ratio to Predict CIN and Strategies to Reduce Contrast Medium Doses". Coronary Interventions. doi:10.5772/29992. ISBN978-953-51-0498-8.
^Dahlman P, Semenas E, Brekkan E, Bergman A, Magnusson A (2000). "Detection and Characterisation of Renal Lesions by Multiphasic Helical Ct". Acta Radiologica. 41 (4): 361–366. doi:10.1080/028418500127345479. PMID10937759. S2CID27758886.
^ abPage 584 in: Ákos Jobbágy (2012). 5th European Conference of the International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering 14 - 18 September 2011, Budapest, Hungary. Volume 37 of IFMBE Proceedings. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN9783642235085.
^ abcOtto van Delden and Robin Smithuis. "Pancreas - Carcinoma". Radiology Assistant. Archived from the original on 2019-09-26. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
^Page 424 in: Stuart E. Mirvis, Jorge A. Soto, Kathirkamanathan Shanmuganathan, Joseph Yu, Wayne S. Kubal (2014). Problem Solving in Emergency Radiology E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN9781455758395.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ abcdef"New Zealand Datasheet"(PDF). New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority. Retrieved 2018-10-16.
^Stacy Goergen. "Iodine-containing contrast medium". InsideRadiology - The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists. Retrieved 2019-02-22. Page last modified on 26/7/2017
^Hrycyk J, Heverhagen JT, Böhm I (2019). "What you should know about prophylaxis and treatment of radiographic and magnetic resonance contrast medium extravasation". Acta Radiol. 60 (4): 496–500. doi:10.1177/0284185118782000. PMID29896979. S2CID48360725.