Cammillo Roberto Giovanni Leopoldo Talei Franzesi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Davide Ippolito MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Pietro Andrea Bonaffini MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Davide Fior MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Sophie Lombardi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sandro Sironi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The aim of our study was to reduce the radiation dose exposure and contrast medium volume in the evaluation of abdominal aorta disease, using low-kV setting CT-angiography (CTA) protocol.

A total of 84 patients(35 women and 49 men;mean age 66.5years;range,37-86years) with abdominal aorta disease, from June 2011 to December 2013,were prospectively enrolled. All patients underwent 256MDCT scan examination of abdominal aorta(Brilliance-iCT,Philips,NL).Forty-six patients were evaluated using low-dose radiation protocol (100kV;automated tube current modulation) and ultra low-contrast volume (40ml; 4ml/s;350mgI/ml). A control group of 38 patients underwent standard CTA protocol(120kV;automated tube current modulation) with standard contrast volume(80ml). Intravessels density measurements(HU) were performed manually drawing a region of interest(ROI) in the lumen of abdominal aorta,renal arteries and common iliac arteries. The radiation dose exposure(dose-length product, DLP;CT dose index, CTDIvol) and the signal-to-noise-ratio(SNR) were also calculated. The data were then compared and statistically analyzed.

All exams were presented high diagnostic quality, permitting thus the correct visualization of the main aortic branches and vascular wall. Higher density measurements were obtained in low-kV protocol as compared to control group, in abdominal aorta(mean attenuation value 343HU vs 320HU), renal arteries(332HU vs 298HU) and common iliac arteries(325HU vs 320HU). No significant noise increase was observed in the study group (mean signal to noise ratio,SNR 15,2) in comparison to control group (SNR 18,6). A significant(p<0,05) overall reduction of 65% in radiation dose exposure was obtained using low-kV protocol(DLP335mGy*cm,CTDIvol5,8mGy) as compared to control group (DLP973mGy*cm;CTDIvol19,4mGy).

Low-kV CTA by using 256 MDCT scanner permits to significantly reduce the radiation dose exposure (over 65%) and the amount of contrast media volume injected, maintaining high diagnostic quality as compared to standard protocol, reducing also the risk of renal damage.

Low kV protocol with low contrast media volume reduces the radiation exposure, preserving renal function and providing an effective tool for the evaluation of patients with abdominal vascular disease.

Talei Franzesi, C, Ippolito, D, Bonaffini, P, Fior, D, Lombardi, S, Sironi, S, Diagnostic Accuracy of Low kV CT-angiography (CTA) by using 256 Multi Detector CT Scanner (MDCT) Combined with Low Contrast Medium Volume in the Assessment of Abdominal Aorta Disease.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14006110.html