Effects of a high-pitch protocol and a hybrid iterative reconstruction algorithm on image quality of cerebral subtracted 3D CT angiography.

Purpose: To evaluate the image quality and the radiation dose of 3D-computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA) with a high-pitch protocol and a hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR).

Materials And Methods: This was a prospective study and thirty patients were scanned at a 0.51-helical pitch with filtered back-projection (FBP, protocol-A), and 30 patients were scanned at a 0.

Low-contrast-dose protocol in cardiac CT: 20% contrast dose reduction using 100 kVp and high-tube-current-time setting in 256-slice CT.

Background: The use of the smallest contrast dose is highly desirable in performing cardiac computed tomography (CT), especially for patients with cardiovascular diseases to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of 20% reduced contrast dose protocol in cardiac CT using 100 kVp and high-tube-current-time product setting.

Material And Methods: Fifty patients were scanned with our conventional 120 kVp protocol, and the other 50 patients underwent scans using a tube voltage of 100 kVp, a high-tube-current-time product, and a 20% reduced contrast dose.

Subtracted 3D CT angiography for the evaluation of intracranial aneurysms in 256-slice multidetector CT: usefulness of the 80-kVp plus compact contrast medium bolus protocol.

Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of an 80-kVp and compact contrast material protocol for arterial phase subtracted cerebral 3D-CTA using 256-slice multidetector CT.

Methods: Thirty-two patients underwent CT with 100 kVp and received a contrast dose of 370 mgI/kg body weight over 15 s (protocol A). Thirty-three patients underwent CT with 100 kVp and received a contrast dose of 296 mgI/kg body weight over 10 s (protocol B).

Low-contrast dose protection protocol for diagnostic computed tomography in patients at high-risk for contrast-induced nephropathy.

Objective: To evaluate the safety of a low-contrast dose computed tomography (CT) protocol for patients with renal insufficiency for contrast-induced nephropathy.

Methods: One hundred forty-three patients with renal insufficiency who underwent low-contrast dose-enhanced abdominal CT were reviewed. Another group of 327 patients who received unenhanced CT was reviewed as a control group.

MR diagnosis of vertebral artery dissection: value of 3D time-of-flight and true fast imaging with steady-state precession fusion imaging.

Objectives: We hypothesized that 3D time-of-flight (TOF) and true fast imaging with steady-state precession (true-FISP) fusion imaging could provide more information regarding the arterial vessel wall. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of lesion detection and the diagnostic confidence of VAD between TOF images alone and fused TOF and true-FISP images.

Methods: Fifty patients were studied: 17 had VAD and 33 had vertebral artery hypoplasia.

Compact-bolus dynamic CT protocol with a test bolus technique in 64-MDCT coronary angiography: comparison of fixed injection rate and duration protocol.

Purpose: We compared the fixed injection rate protocol (P2) with the fixed injection duration protocol (P1) for coronary CT angiography using the test bolus technique.

Materials And Methods: We randomly assigned 100 patients to one of two protocols. In P1, they received 0.

Low contrast agent and radiation dose protocol for hepatic dynamic CT of thin adults at 256-detector row CT: effect of low tube voltage and hybrid iterative reconstruction algorithm on image quality.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect on image quality of a low contrast agent dose and radiation dose protocol at abdominal dynamic computed tomography (CT) with a low tube voltage, hybrid iterative reconstruction algorithm, and a 256- detector row scanner.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study received institutional review board approval, and prior informed written consent was obtained from all patients. Seventy-four patients undergoing hepatic dynamic CT were randomly assigned to one of two protocols: Thirty-nine patients underwent scanning with the conventional 120-kVp protocol and the other 35 patients underwent scanning with an 80-kVp tube voltage and a 40% reduction in contrast agent dose.

Abdominal dynamic CT in patients with renal dysfunction: contrast agent dose reduction with low tube voltage and high tube current-time product settings at 256-detector row CT.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of a low-contrast agent dose protocol at abdominal dynamic computed tomography (CT) with a low tube voltage high tube current-time product technique and a 256-detector row CT unit.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study received institutional review board approval; written informed consent to participate was obtained from all patients. The study included 151 patients; 117 had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) greater than or equal to 60 mL/min/1.

Low-kilovoltage, high-tube-current MDCT of liver in thin adults: pilot study evaluating radiation dose, image quality, and display settings.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of a low tube voltage-high tube current-time product technique for portal phase abdominal CT of thin adults.

Subjects And Methods: This study included 25 patients who had undergone portal phase abdominal CT at 120 kVp in the preceding 6 months. All were scanned using 80 kVp and high tube-current time products.

A low-kilovolt (peak) high-tube current technique improves venous enhancement and reduces the radiation dose at indirect multidetector-row CT venography: initial experience.

Objective: The purpose was to evaluate the image noise, contrast-to-noise ratio, and radiation dose at indirect multidetector-row computed tomographic venography (CTV) using a low-kilovolt (peak) (kV[p]) high-tube current technique.

Materials And Methods: Thirty patients underwent indirect CTV of the lower extremity at 120 kV(p) with 170 mA and at 80 kV(p) with 426 mA (CT dose index volumes 11.8 and 9.