J Vet Sci.  2019 Jul;20(4):e38. 10.4142/jvs.2019.20.e38.

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

• Kim H
• Hong S
• Kim S
• Oh D
• Lee S
• Choen S
• Yoon J
• Choi M

• KMID: 2453900
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2019.20.e38

Abstract

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.

Keyword

Abdomen; computed tomography; contrast material; dog; saline chaser

MeSH Terms

Abdomen
Animals
Aorta
Artifacts
Dogs*
Humans
Iohexol
Liver
Portal Vein
Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
Iohexol