High concentration (400 mgI/mL) versus low concentration (320 mgI/mL) iodinated contrast media in multi detector computed tomography of the liver: A randomized, single centre, non-inferiority study

Abstract

ObjectivesTo compare vascular and parenchymal contrast enhancement in multidetector computed tomography of the liver using two contrast media with different iodine concentration (Iodixanol 320mgI/mL and Iomeprol 400mgI/mL) and similar viscosity, using fixed total iodine volume (40gI) and iodine delivery rate (1.6gI/s). Methods110 patients were prospectively randomized into two groups. Group A received 125mL of Iodixanol 320 and group B 100mL of Iomeprol 400.Attenuation values were measured at the level of the aorta, portal vein and liver parenchyma on unenhanced, arterial, portal and equilibrium phases. A non inferiority test was performed on the differences between the two groups. An independent reader evaluated image quality. ResultsThe equivalence of the two CM was demonstrated in all measurements. Higher, but not statistically significant, attenuation values were obtained with Iomeprol 400 in the aorta during the arterial phase (305.3HU versus 288.4HU; P=0.32) and with Iodixanol 320 in the liver parenchyma, during both portal (59.8HU versus 65.5HU; P=0.78) and equilibrium (40.4HU versus 41.8HU; P=0.55) phases. ConclusionsIodixanol 320 and Iomeprol 400 injected at the same iodine delivery rate (1.6gI/s) and total iodine load (40gI) did not provide statistically significant differences in liver parenchymal and vascular contrast enhancement.