Abstract
Objective This study aimed to evaluate the quality of enhancement and solid-organ lesion depiction using weight-based intravenous (IV) contrast dosing calculated by injector software versus fixed IV contrast dose in oncologic abdominal computed tomographic (CT) examinations. Methods This institutional review board-exempt retrospective cohort study included 134 patients who underwent single-phase abdominal CT before and after implementation of weight-based IV contrast injector software. Patient weight, height, body mass index, and body surface area were determined. Two radiologists qualitatively assessed examinations (4 indicating markedly superior to -4 indicating markedly inferior), and Hounsfield unit measurements were performed. Results Enhancement (estimated mean, -0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.19 to 0.09; P = 0.46) and lesion depiction (estimated mean, -0.01; 95% CI, -0.10 to 0.07; P = 0.79) scores did not differ between CT examinations using weight-based IV contrast versus fixed IV contrast dosing when a minimum of 38.5 g of iodine was used. However, the scores using weight-based IV contrast dosing were lower when the injector software calculated and delivered less than 38.5 g of iodine (estimated mean, -0.81; 95% CI, -1.06 to -0.56; P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in measured Hounsfield units between the CT examinations using weight-based IV contrast dosing versus fixed IV contrast dosing. Conclusions Oncologic CT image quality was maintained or improved with weight-based IV contrast dosing using injector software when using a minimum amount of 38.5 g of iodine.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 155-162 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of computer assisted tomography |
Volume | 43 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2019 |
Keywords
- IV
- abdomen
- computed tomography
- iodine contrast
- weight-based dosing
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
MD Anderson CCSG core facilities
- Biostatistics Resource Group