Optimising the scan delay for arterial phase imaging of the liver using the bolus tracking technique

To optimize the delay time before the initiation of arterial phase scan in the detection of focal liver lesions in contrast enhanced 5 phase liver CT using the bolus tracking technique. Delay - the interval between threshold enhancement of 100 hounsfield unit (HU) in the abdominal aorta and commence...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biomedical imaging and intervention journal 2011-04, Vol.7 (2), p.e12-e12
Main Authors: Chan, Rs, Kumar, G, Abdullah, Bjj, Ng, Kh, Vijayananthan, A, Mohd Nor, H, Liew, Yw
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aorta
Computed tomography
Contraindications
Contrast media
Cysts
Hemangioma
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Hypertension
Intravenous administration
Lesions
Liver
Original
Patients
Statistical analysis
Surgery
Thrombosis
Veins & arteries
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Summary:To optimize the delay time before the initiation of arterial phase scan in the detection of focal liver lesions in contrast enhanced 5 phase liver CT using the bolus tracking technique. Delay - the interval between threshold enhancement of 100 hounsfield unit (HU) in the abdominal aorta and commencement of the first arterial phase scan. Using a 16 slice CT scanner, a plain CT of the liver was done followed by an intravenous bolus of 120 ml nonionic iodinated contrast media (370 mg I/ml) at the rate of 4 mL/s. The second phase scan started immediately after the first phase scan. The portal venous and delay phases were obtained at a fixed delay of 60 s and 90 s from the beginning of contrast injection. Contrast enhancement index (CEI) and subjective visual conspicuity scores for each lesion were compared among the three groups. 84 lesions (11 hepatocellular carcinomas, 17 hemangiomas, 39 other hypervascular lesions and 45 cysts) were evaluated. CEI for hepatocellular carcinomas appears to be higher during the first arterial phase in the 6 seconds delay group. No significant difference in CEI and mean conspicuity scores among the three groups for hemangioma, other hypervascular lesions and cysts. The conspicuity of hepatocellular carcinomas appeared better during the early arterial phase using a bolus tracking technique with a scan delay of 6 seconds from the 100 HU threshold in the abdominal aorta.
ISSN:1823-5530
DOI:10.2349/biij.7.2.e12