Ralf W. Bauer MD, Presenter: Research Consultant, Siemens AG Speakers Bureau, Siemens AG

Boris Schell MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Martin Beeres MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Boris Bodelle MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Julian Wichmann, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Thomas Josef Vogl MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Josef Matthias Kerl MD, Abstract Co-Author: Research Consultant, Siemens AG Speakers Bureau, Siemens AG

To investigate pulmonary arterial and aortic enhancement, image noise and artefacts related to breathing and heart motion in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism.

Seventy-six consecutive patients underwent CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in dual-source high-pitch mode (pitch 3.0, 100 kV, 180 mAs, 50 ml contrast material) without breathing command. Pulmonary arterial (PA) and aortic enhancement, image noise, signal-to-noise-ratio, overall image quality, incidence of total or partial interruption of the contrast column in the PA tree, motion artefacts of the aortic root, diaphragm and pulmonary structures were recorded.

Mean central and peripheral PA attenuation was 404±104 HU and 453±119 HU, mean image noise 11±2 HU. Mean examination time was 0.67±0.09 s, mean DLP 142±31 mGycm. There were no motion artefacts of the diaphragm or the pulmonary vessels related to breathing. There was no case of partial or total interruption of the contrast column in the PA tree, no examination was rated non-diagnostic. In 62/76 cases, the aortic root was pictured without any motion artefact and with satisfying contrast enhancement to rule out dissection.

High-pitch dual-source CTPA in freely breathing patients effectively avoids artefacts related to breathe hold or breathing as well as to cardiac motion and thus represents a reliable tool to rule out pulmonary embolism. With further optimized contrast injection, aortic dissection may be additionally ruled out within the same examination without the use of ECG-synchronisation.

High-pitch CTPA in freely breathing patients consistently provides diagnostic image quality, suppresses artifacts and has potential to further reduce contrast material amount.

Bauer, R, Schell, B, Beeres, M, Bodelle, B, Wichmann, J, Vogl, T, Kerl, J, High-Pitch Dual-Source CT Pulmonary Angiography in Freely Breathing Patients.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11002755.html Accessed May 7, 2025