Renal Streaky Artifact during Contrast-Enhanced Abdominal and Pelvic CT' Comparison of High versus Low Osmolality Contrast Media

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Introduction of low osmolality contrast agent(LOCA) has allowed safer, more comfortable contrast-enhanced CT examination, but there has been significant increase in image degradation when evaluating the kidneys due to streaky artifact. The authors reviewed findings of contrast-enhanced abdominal and pelvic computed tomography(CT) to know the difference of renal streaky artifact between a high osmolality contrast agent (HOCA) and LOCA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included two hundred contrast-enhanced CT in 200 patients, 100 performed with HOCA(meglumine ioglicate, 150ml) and 100 performed with LOCA (iopromide, 150ml). The severity of renal streaky artifact was compared between HOCA and LOCA groups. RESULTS: Of the scans performed with HOCA, 40 had no artifact, 52 had grade I artifact, 6 had grade II artifact, and 2 had grade III artifact Of the scans performed with LOCA, 23 had no artifact, 44 had grade I artifact, 29 had grade II artifact, and 4 had grade III artifact. There was significant difference in the degree of the streaky artifact depending upon the osmolality of the contrast media used(by {{{{x