Feasibility of a fixed scan delay technique using a previous bolus tracking technique data for dynamic hepatic CT

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare the quality of contrast enhancement and hepatic CT images acquired using bolus tracking technique at two different time points and those acquired with fixed scan delay technique using a previous bolus tracking data. Materials and methodsFifty patients who underwent 3 different hepatic CT exams (25-s fixed injection of 600mg iodine (I)/kg or 100mL of 370mg I/mL nonionic contrast medium) were enrolled. The first and second exams were performed with a bolus tracking technique. The third exam was performed with a fixed scan delay technique using the first exam data. Differences in attenuation values in the abdominal organs were examined and evaluated visually on hepatic arterial phase images. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the mean 50-HU threshold times between the first and second bolus tracking exams with intra-patient differences between them (1.3±0.9s). No significant intra-patient differences were noted in organ attenuation and visual evaluation on hepatic arterial phase images between the 3 exams. ConclusionThe fixed scan delay technique using a previous bolus tracking data is feasible for hepatic CT exams to follow up hepatocellular carcinoma.