To compare urinary tract distension and opacification obtained with single-bolus multi-phase and split-bolus 2-phase examination of multi-detector row computed tomographic urography (CTU) techniques.
Thirty-one single-bolus multi-phase CTU examinations were compared with 26 split-bolus 2-phase examinations. Two readers，blind to the imaging technique used，recorded quantitative measurements of urinary tract distension and qualitative measurements of urinary tract opacification，which included opacificated length and CT value in the lumen of urinary tract. Mann-Whitney rank sum test was used to evaluate the differences between the 2 groups of images respectively. Opacification scores for each segment and mean ureteral width measurements for each technique were compared.
No significant differences between techniques in pelvis, calices and ureteral distension or collecting system opacificated length were identified (P>0.05). Significant difference between techniques in CT values in lumen was identified (P<0.05). But CT values of the lumens acquired by split-bolus CTU were all larger than or equal to220Hu, which were higher than the CT value of the lesions.
Images acquired from the two techniques were the same in diagnosing efficacy，while the split-bolus 2-phase examination could reduce the efficient radiation dose.
Split bolus 2-phase CT urography could be uesed as a rutine examination in diagnosing diseases of upper urinary tract.
He, W,
Normal Collecting System Multislice CT Urography: Comparison of Split Bolus 2 Phase CTU and Classical Single Bolus Multiphase CTU. Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL.
http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8009235.html
