Korean J Radiol.  2011 Dec;12(6):714-721. 10.3348/kjr.2011.12.6.714.

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

• Jung SC
• Kim SH
• Cho JY

• KMID: 1101926
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2011.12.6.714

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To 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 METHODS
A 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.
RESULTS
The 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).
CONCLUSION
The 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.

Keyword

Kidney; CT; Contrast media; Iodine concentration

MeSH Terms

Animals
Aortography
Artifacts
Contrast Media/*chemistry
Iodine/*analysis/*diagnostic use
Iopamidol/chemistry/*diagnostic use
Kidney/*radiography
Kidney Cortex/radiography
*Multidetector Computed Tomography
Rabbits

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Axial contrast enhanced CT images show five region-of-interest circles at 5-second delay (A) and 115-second delay (B) for 370 mg iodine/mL. Attenuation values were measured using region-of-interest circles. Region-of-interest circles were located in cortex, outer medulla, inner medulla, pelvis and aorta as depicted on PACS workstation.

• 

  Fig. 2 Axial contrast enhanced CT images in rabbit show various CT enhancement patterns according to six phases and use of contrast media with three iodine concentrations. CT images show prominent differences of enhancement according to iodine concentration of contrast media in renal cortex regardless of phase, with most severe renal steak artifact produced with concentration of 370 mg iodine/mL. Three rows indicate iodine concentrations: A. 250 mg iodine/mL, B. 300 mg iodine/mL, C. 370 mg iodine/mL. Six columns indicate each phase as function of time: pre (pre-contrast), phase 1 (5-second delay), phase 2 (15-second delay), phase 3 (35-second delay), phase 4 (65-second delay), and phase 5 (115-second delay).

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