Usefulness of a saline chaser to reduce contrast material dose in abdominal CT of normal dogs

• Published in: Journal of veterinary science (Suwŏn-si, Korea) 2019, 20(4), , pp.38-
• Main Authors: Kim, Hyejin, Hong, Sungkyun, Kim, Seungji, Oh, Dayoung, Lee, Siheon, Choen, Sangkyung, Yoon, Junghee, Choi, Mincheol
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Original; 수의학
• ISSN: 1229-845X; 1976-555X
• DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2019.20.e38

Use of a saline chaser has been reported to allow reduction of contrast dose and artifacts during computed tomography (CT) examination in humans. This study assesses the extent of contrast dose by using a saline chaser in abdominal CT scans of normal dogs. Five beagles underwent abdominal CT scans. Three protocols were applied: 600 mg I/kg iohexol without saline chaser (protocol 1), 30% lower dose of iohexol (420 mg I/kg) followed by a 10 mL saline chaser (protocol 2), and 40% lower dose of iohexol (360 mg I/kg) followed by a 10 mL saline chaser (protocol 3). Attenuation values were obtained from aorta, portal vein, and liver parenchyma. The maximum enhancement values (MEVs) in protocol 2 were significantly higher than those in protocols 1 and 3 in the aorta; no difference was seen in the portal vein in all protocols. The liver parenchymal MEVs in protocols 1 and 2 were significantly higher than those obtained in protocol 3. In this study, the use of a saline chaser and a reduced dose of contrast material did not affect vessel enhancement. In conclusion, use of a saline chaser for abdominal CT of dogs is recommended because it allows a 30% reduction of contrast dose without decreasing vascular and hepatic parenchymal enhancement.