Walter Coudyzer, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Dirk Vanbeckevoort MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Federica Zanca PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Adriana Dubbeldam, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Geert Maleux MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Speakers Bureau, Merit Medical Systems, Inc Speakers Bureau, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc Speakers Bureau, Medtronic, Inc

Volume adapted IV contrast injections for specific CT examinations are in the benefit of many adult patients. The majority of these patients receive less IV contrast than with most of the fixed standard procedures, which are commonly used in many radiology departments worldwide. The reduction of this contrast volume should have no or limited influence on the image quality and should result in a positive effect on the effective radiation dose for the patient.

A recently in house developed software tool (injection calculator) was installed on a Nemoto Dual Shot Alpha CT contrast injector (Nemoto-Kyorindo, Tokyo, Japan) , and used to calculate a patient-tailored contrast volume for qualified CT examinations. This calculation is based on the patient’s BSA, heart rate and the used iodine concentration. One hundred patients planned for a thorax-abdominal or abdominal CT were scanned. The resulting CT images were scored by two experienced radiologists who performed an objective scoring ( HU densities ) and a subjective scoring ( visual anatomical observation). A separate clinical study was designed to monitor the relation between the injected contrast volume, the patient’s effective radiation dose and CT dose modulation.

Image analysis of the patient-tailored CT examinations with an adapted contrast volume showed that a good or adequate image quality was retained. The majority of these patients had the benefit of a contrast volume reduction. A minority of the patients, obese with high heart rate, received a higher contrast volume compared with our standard fixed procedure (120 ml).

It is possible to lower the injected contrast volume for a number of CT examinations in the majority of adult patients. Nevertheless, the combination of obesity and a high heart rate resulted in an increase of the contrast volume. This injection calculator was created to stimulate the awareness and if possible to change fixed procedures and is open for modification and fine tuning.

The possibility to reduce the injected amount of IV contrast is in the patient's benefit.

Coudyzer, W, Vanbeckevoort, D, Zanca, F, Dubbeldam, A, Maleux, G, Patient-tailored IV Contrast Injections for CT: A Feasibility Study.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14014676.html