Whole-Body High-Pitch CT Angiography: Strategies to Reduce Radiation Dose and Contrast Volume.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the noninferiority of dual-source high-pitch CT angiography (CTA) performed with high-concentration (iopamidol 370) low-volume (60 mL) iodinated contrast material at low voltage (100 kVp) in comparison with dual-source high-pitch CTA with standard-of-care low-concentration (iopamidol 300) standard-volume (75 mL) iodinated contrast material at high voltage (120 kVp) to determine whether use of the high-concentration low-volume method would afford a reduction in radiation dose and contrast volume without negatively affecting vascular opacification.

Subjects And Methods: This study had three arms. A phantom was used to assess vascular contrast enhancement at different iodine and saline solution dilutions with iopamidol 300 or 370 to compare lower-iodination (iopamidol 300) high-voltage (120 kVp) high-pitch (120 kVp, 250 mAs) imaging with higher-iodination (iopamidol 370) low-voltage (100 kVp) high-pitch (100 kVp, 100-240 mAs) acquisition.

High-Pitch Dual-Source MDCT for Imaging of the Thoracoabdominal Aorta: Relationships Among Radiation Dose, Noise, Pitch, and Body Size in a Phantom Experiment and Clinical Study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate, both in a phantom experiment and a within-patient clinical study the relationships among radiation dose, image noise, pitch, and body size in MDCT angiography of the thoracoabdominal aorta, with the use of high-pitch dual-source and standard-pitch single-source acquisitions.

Materials And Methods: A proprietary tapered phantom consisting of four ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene cylinders was used to mimic the body size ranges (small, medium, large, and extra large) of patients in the United States. The phantom was imaged using both standard-pitch (0.

Dual-Energy Multidetector-Row Computed Tomography of the Hepatic Arterial System: Optimization of Energy and Material-Specific Reconstruction Techniques.

Purpose: To investigate the optimal dual-energy reconstruction technique for the visualization of the hepatic arterial system during dual-energy multidetector computed tomographic (MDCT) angiography of the liver.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-nine nonconsecutive patients underwent dual-energy MDCT angiography of the liver. Synthesized monochromatic (40, 50, 60, and 80 keV) and iodine density data sets were reconstructed.

Characterizing search, recognition, and decision in the detection of lung nodules on CT scans: elucidation with eye tracking.

Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of radiologists' search, recognition, and acceptance of lung nodules on computed tomographic (CT) images by using eye tracking.

Materials And Methods: This study was performed with a protocol approved by the institutional review board. All study subjects provided informed consent, and all private health information was protected in accordance with HIPAA.

Imaging of complications of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery.

Iatrogenic complications of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery are relatively uncommon, but contribute to potentially significant patient morbidity and mortality. The incidence of iatrogenic disease reflects the complexity of surgical procedures, including lung resection, esophagectomy, coronary artery bypass grafting, thoracic aorta repair, and cardiac valve replacement. Some iatrogenic complications are minor and common to all procedures, whereas others can be potentially devastating and are associated with precise technical components of specific surgeries.

Assessment of vascular contrast and wall motion of the aortic root and ascending aorta on MDCT angiography: dual-source high-pitch vs non-gated single-source acquisition schemes.

Objectives: This retrospective study assessed whether dual-source high-pitch computed tomographic angiography (CTA) offered advantages over single-source standard-pitch techniques in the evaluation of the ascending aorta.

Methods: Twenty patients who received both thoracic dual-source high-pitch and single-source standard-pitch CTAs within 1 year were assessed. Dual-source CTAs were performed; standard-pitch imaging used dose-modulated 120 kVp/150 mAs and 0.

Impact of phase of respiration on central venous catheter tip position.

Purpose: To determine the impact of the phase of respiration on CVC tip position using cross-sectional imaging.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the CT scans of 24 consecutive patients (eight men and 16 women, mean age 56.3 years, range 18-79) who underwent a CT scan protocol that includes both imaging of the thorax in inspiration and expiration.

Diffuse cystic lung disease at high-resolution CT.

Objective: This article will illustrate and describe the spectrum of diseases associated with air cysts at high-resolution CT (HRCT).

Conclusion: HRCT is an important modality in the evaluation of interstitial lung disease to include cystic lung disease. Although most commonly associated with lymphangioleiomyomatosis or Langerhans cell histiocytosis, cystic lung disease is increasingly being recognized as a feature of other entities.

Comparison of ECG-gated rectilinear vs. real-time radial K-space sampling schemes in cine True-FISP cardiac MRI.

Purpose: To compare three k-space sampling schemes in cine True-FISP cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and to evaluate changes in calculated quantitative functional cardiac parameters as a function of underlying k-space sampling techniques.

Material And Methods: Using a 1.5 T MR imaging system (Magnetom Sonata, Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany), three k-space data-sampling schemes: rectilinear (2.