Paola Lucchesi, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Riccardo Ferrari MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Marco Rengo MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Fabrizio Vecchietti, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Damiano Caruso, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Andrea Laghi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Research Consultant, Bracco Group Research Consultant, Vital Images, Inc Research Consultant, General Electric Company Research Consultant, Viatronix, Inc Research Consultant, im3D SpA Research Consultant, iCAD, Inc

The purpose of this study was to compare the vascular and parenchymal contrast enhancement in multidetector CT of the liver using two contrast media at different concentration of iodine (iodixanol 320mgI/mL and iomeprol 400 mgI/mL), keeping total iodine load (40 gI) and iodine delivery rate (1.6 gI/s) identical.

This was a non-inferiority, randomized, double-blind, prospective study in 110 patients referred for MDCT examination of the abdomen for several clinical indications. Patients were randomized in two groups: group A received 125 ml of Iodixanol 320 mg/ml at a flow rate of 5 ml/s whilst group B received 100 ml of Iomeron 400 mg/ml at a flow rate of 4 ml/s. The mean attenuation value was measured in all examinations in aorta, portal vein, inferior vena cava and liver parenchyma, using different locations as to minimize the possibility of artifacts.  

Results was based on the difference of CEI score, obtained from transformation of all measures by multivariate analysis. There were no statistically significant differences in aorta, hepatic parenchyma and portal vein, while in the inferior vena cava the difference of attenuation between the two contrast media was statistically significant, slightly above the critical level of 1% and below the critical level of 5% (P = 0.0126). CEI obtained with each contrast medium in the same anatomic site and in the same phase was evaluated by the Student t test for independent data. Difference and 95% CI was reported.  

This study demonstrated the non-inferiority of 320-iodixanol versus 400-iomeprol injected at the same Iodine delivery rate and total iodine load, in terms of liver parenchymal and vascular contrast enhancement.

 for clinical safety and diagnostic efficacy

Lucchesi, P, Ferrari, R, Rengo, M, Vecchietti, F, Caruso, D, Laghi, A, Single Center Prospective, Randomised, Double Blind Study Comparing the Vascular and Parenchymal Contrast-enhancement in Multi-Detector CT of the Liver Using Two Contrast Media at Different Concentrations of Iodine.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9015188.html