Evaluation of pulmonary computed tomography angiography protocols: A multicenter audit in Togo

Abstract

Introduction : Pulmonary CT angiography is among the most challenging protocols to execute, with significant inter-center variability in image acquisition protocols and iodinated contrast media injection. This study aimed to ascertain whether the use of iodinated contrast media (ICM) and acquisition protocols are optimized during pulmonary CT angiography procedures.
 Materials and methods : This multicentric cross-sectional study, descriptive and analytical with a prospective data collection was conducted in three radiology departments in Togo. It encompassed all pulmonary CT angiography examinations carried out from March 1st to June 30th, 2023.
 Results : In total, 89 patients, of which 52 were females (58.43%), were registered. The average age was 59.97±14.34 years. The average volume of injected ICM was 67.08±14.21 ml. The mean iodine dose was 0.31±0.07 gI/Kg. Catheters of 20 G (44.94%) and 18 G (43.82%) were most frequently used. The mean injection rate was 4.22±0.64 ml/s. The bolus test technique was the most employed (75.28%). The average acquisition delay was 17.77±12.26 seconds, while the average acquisition duration was 10.56±2.56 seconds. The average dose-length product (DLP) was 390.09±236.69 mGy.cm, and the average volumetric computed tomography dose index (CTDI_vol) was 12.31±11.69 mGy. Vascular enhancement was insufficient in 7.87% of cases. No statistically significant difference was found on the rate of insufficient enhancement and optimization factors. Similarly, there was no enhancement difference between bolus test and bolus tracking techniques.
 Conclusion : The vast majority of examinations allowed for optimal opacification of the pulmonary arteries. However, the optimization measures for the use of iodinated contrast media are not consistently applied.