[Multislice CT angiography in the study of aneurysm of the abdominal aorta: comparison of three different volumes of contrast agent]. / Angio-tomografía computarizada multidetector en el estudio del aneurisma de aorta abdominal. Comparación de tres volúmenes de contraste diferentes.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively and quantitatively compare the use of different volumes of contrast in 16-slice CT angiography for the study of aneurysms of the abdominal aorta before and/or after treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From November 2005 to March 2006, we included 63 consecutive patients referred for CT angiography for aneurysm of the abdominal aorta or for post-treatment follow-up. Each patient was randomly assigned to one of three groups: group A was administered 100 mL of contrast agent, group B 80 mL, and group C 60 mL. In all cases, contrast was administered with 40 mL of physiological serum at a rate of 4 ml/s. A 16-detector CT scanner was used. In the last 61 patients, attenuation was measured in different locations using circular ROIs. Hounsfield units were recorded in the first slice (initial contrast), in the last slice (final contrast), at their maximum value, and also at one-second intervals. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in the Hounsfield units recorded in the first slice, in the last slice, or in the maximum values were found between the different groups. Mean values were above 200 in 58 of 61 patients. Weight and body mass index (BMI) were negatively correlated with aortoiliac attenuation. CONCLUSION: Using a 16-detector CT scanner enables the volume of contrast for studies of aneurysms of the abdominal aorta to be reduced considerably; however, 60 mL might not be sufficient for patients with high weight or BMI.

Angio-tomografía computarizada multidetector en el estudio del aneurisma de aorta abdominal. Comparación de tres volúmenes de contraste diferentes / Multislice CT angiography in the study of aneurysm of the abdominal aorta: comparison of three different volumes of contrast agent

Objetivo. Comparar cuantitativamente, mediante un estudio prospectivo, la utilización de diferentes volúmenes de contraste en el estudio del aneurisma de aorta abdominal y en el control del tratamiento mediante angio-TC realizado con una unidad de tomografía computarizada multidetector (TCM) de 16 coronas. Material y métodos. Desde noviembre de 2005 hasta marzo de 2006 se incluyeron consecutivamente 63 pacientes remitidos para realizarse una angio-TC de aneurisma aórtico abdominal o para control postratamiento. Aleatoriamente se asignó cada paciente a tres grupos, al A se le administró 100 ml de contraste, al B 80 ml y al C 60 ml, en todos los casos más 40 ml de suero fisiológico y a 4 ml/s. Se utilizó un TMC de 16 coronas. En los 61 pacientes finales se efectuaron mediciones de atenuación en diferentes localizaciones mediante el uso de ROI circulares. Se recogieron las unidades Hounsfield en el primer corte (contraste inicial), en el último (contraste final), el valor máximo (contraste máximo) y también a intervalos de 1 segundo. Resultados. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticas significativas en los valores de contraste inicial, final y máximo entre los diferentes grupos. Cincuenta y ocho de los 61 pacientes presentaron valores medios superiores a 200. Se demostró que existe correlación negativa entre peso e índice de masa corporal (IMC) y la atenuación aorto-iliaca. Conclusión. Mediante el uso de tecnología TCM de 16 coronas es posible reducir considerablemente el volumen de contraste en los estudios de aneurisma aórtico abdominal y en su control postratamiento, con la salvedad de que volúmenes de 60 ml podrían no ser suficientes en pacientes con peso o IMC elevado (AU)

Objective. To prospectively and quantitatively compare the use of different volumes of contrast in 16-slice CT angiography for the study of aneurysms of the abdominal aorta before and/or after treatment. Material and methods. From November 2005 to March 2006, we included 63 consecutive patients referred for CT angiography for aneurysm of the abdominal aorta or for post-treatment follow-up. Each patient was randomly assigned to one of three groups: group A was administered 100 mL of contrast agent, group B 80 mL, and group C 60 mL. In all cases, contrast was administered with 40 mL of physiological serum at a rate of 4 ml/s. A 16-detector CT scanner was used. In the last 61 patients, attenuation was measured in different locations using circular ROIs. Hounsfield units were recorded in the first slice (initial contrast), in the last slice (final contrast), at their maximum value, and also at one-second intervals. Results. No statistically significant differences in the Hounsfield units recorded in the first slice, in the last slice, or in the maximum values were found between the different groups. Mean values were above 200 in 58 of 61 patients. Weight and body mass index (BMI) were negatively correlated with aortoiliac attenuation. Conclusion. Using a 16-detector CT scanner enables the volume of contrast for studies of aneurysms of the abdominal aorta to be reduced considerably; however, 60 mL might not be sufficient for patients with high weight or BMI (AU)