Alessandro A. Lemos MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

James Sternberg MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Francesco Somalvico PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Francesca Ferrari, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Pierangelo Fasani MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Pietro R. Biondetti MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To determine whether the use of Multidetector-row helical CT (MDCT)can decrease the need for sedation, the number of conventional angiograms and the rate of patient motion artifacts compared with Singledetector CT(SDCT)in young children after liver transplantation

Between January 1993 and March 2004,124 young children underwent liver transplantation at our Institution.For detection of possible post-operative complications, 84 of the 126 studies were performed using Singledetector CT with either a step-and shoot or helical mode acquisition(group1),whereas the remaining 42 studies were performed with a four array Multidetector CT(group 2).The mean age was 3,2 years in group 1(range 8 months-17years)and 2,4 years in group 2(range 17 months-12 years).When necessary, we used oral chloral hydrate for sedation purpose for children younger than 18 months and intravenous pentobarbital sodium for children older than 18 months.Patients who were intubated and paralyzed were not included in the study.We retrospectively reviewed sedation records,the number of conventional angiograms additionally required to confirm the diagnosis, and patient motion artifacts before and after the introduction of MDCT at our Institution.Statistical comparison among the two groups was determined by using the Mantel-Haenszel Chi-square test.

In group 1,51 of 84 patients required sedation and/or catheter angiography(60.7%),whereas in group 2,42 patients required sedation and/or catheter angiography(28.5%).Patient motion artifacts were present in 8 cases in group 1, and in 4 cases in goup 2.Regarding sedation rates and the number of conventional angiograms, there was a significant statistical difference between the two groups(p(p>1).

The rate of sedation and the number of catheter angiograms were significantly reduced with MDCT.A real reduction of patient motion artifacts should be evaluated in a larger number of patients.

Lemos, A, Sternberg, J, Somalvico, F, Ferrari, F, Fasani, P, Biondetti, P, Comparison Among Single and Multidetector CT in the Reduction of Sedation Rates, the Number of Conventional Angiograms, and Patient Motion Artifacts in Young Children Following Liver Transplantation.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4417263.html