A Comparison of the Use of Contrast Media with Different Iodine Concentrations for Multidetector CT of the Kidney

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the optimal iodine concentration of contrast media for kidney multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) by comparing the degree of renal parenchymal enhancement and the severity of the renal streak artifact with contrast media of different iodine concentrations.Materials and MethodsA 16-row MDCT was performed in 15 sedated rabbits by injection of 2 mL contrast media/kg body weight at a rate of 0.3 mL/sec. Monomeric nonionic contrast media of 250, 300, and 370 mg iodine/mL were injected at 1-week intervals. Mean attenuation values were measured in each renal structure with attenuation differences among the structures. The artifact was evaluated by CT window width/level and three grading methods. The values were compared with iodine concentrations.ResultsThe 370 mg iodine/mL concentration showed significantly higher cortical enhancement than 250 mg iodine/mL in all phases (p < 0.05). There was however no significant difference in the degree of enhancement between the 300 mg iodine/mL and 370 mg iodine/mL concentrations in all phases. There is a significant difference in attenuation for the cortex-outer medulla between 250 mg iodine/mL and 300 mg iodine/mL (p < 0.05). The artifact was more severe with a medium of 370 mg iodine/mL than with 250 mg iodine/mL by all grading methods (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe 300 mg iodine/mL is considered to be the most appropriate iodine concentration in an aspect of the enhancement and artifact on a kidney MDCT scan.

Imaging Quality Evaluation of Low Tube Voltage Coronary CT Angiography Using Low Concentration Contrast Medium

“…The effect of low doses of radiation on CT coronary angiography will likely be debated for years to come, but we must follow the principle of the lowest effective dose: using the least amount of radiation to meet the needs of diagnosis, while avoiding unnecessary repeated radiological examinations. In addition, we demonstrate that 300 mg iodine/mL can meet the requirements for diagnosis with respect to enhancement and artifacts on CT coronary angiography according to our study, similar to the report by Seung Chai Jung et al [ 26 ] and Annemaieke [ 27 ].…”

Low tube voltage computed tomography urography using low-concentration contrast media: Comparison of image quality in conventional computed tomography urography

“…For the corticomedullary phase of kidney CT, a previous experimental study revealed that 300 mg I/mL is the most appropriate concentration [29]. However, our results showed much higher attenuation and SNR in low-concentration protocol, 240 mg I/mL or less could be appropriate for 80 kVp imaging.…”

Streak artefacts in Computed Tomography Urography: Comparative evaluation between two different iodinated contrast media

“…Joung at al. compared the degree of renal parenchymal enhancement and the severity of renal streak artefacts in CT performed on rabbits, using just one kind of contrast medium (Iopamidolo, non‐ionic monomeric iodine contrast media) at three different iodine concentrations (250, 300 and 370 mg iodine/mL) 13 . In our study, we found more critical streak artefacts when using Iodixanol 320 mgI/m (IOCA – Osmolarity 290 mOsm/Kg) than with Iomeprol 400 mgI/mL (LOCA – osmolarity 726 mOsm/Kg).…”