Abstract
PURPOSE: To compare findings at computed tomography (CT) enhanced with a hepatocyte-selective contrast agent (iodinated triglyceride) and/or iohexol and at CT during arterial portography (CTAP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rabbit livers were directly inoculated with VX2 carcinoma. Results were compared for five helical CT examinations: unenhanced CT, iohexol-enhanced CT (600 mg iodine per kilogram of body weight [mg I/kg]), CTAP (with iohexol [600 mg I/kg]), triglyceride-enhanced CT (126 mg I/kg), and dual-contrast-enhanced CT (triglyceride plus iohexol [425 mg I/kg]). Attenuation of normal liver and tumor were compared with analysis of variance techniques and blinded reader evaluations. RESULTS: Normal liver attenuation was greatest at CTAP (127.3 HU ± 5.3 [mean ± standard error of the mean]), followed by dual-contrast- enhanced CT (112.4 HU ± 1.2), iohexol-enhanced CT (97.9 HU ± 2.2), triglyceride-enhanced CT (82.3 HU ± 1.1), and unenhanced CT (54.9 HU ± 1.8). Liver-to-lesion attenuation difference at triglyceride-enhanced CT was significantly greater than at iohexol-enhanced CT (P < .05), and attenuation differences at dual-contrast-enhanced CT were comparable to those at CTAP. Tumors did not enhance at triglyceride-enhanced CT, which increased conspicuity. Sensitivity values for lesion detection at dual-contrast- enhanced CT were greater than those at iohexol-enhanced CT or at CTAP (P < .05). CONCLUSION: At CT enhanced with triglyceride (especially when combined with iohexol), sensitivity values and liver-to-lesion attenuation differences were greater with lower iodine doses than with iohexol or at CTAP.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 465-470 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Radiology |
Volume | 203 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 1997 |
Keywords
- Computed tomography (CT), comparative studies
- Computed tomography (CT), contrast media
- Contrast media, experimental studies
- Iohexol
- Liver neoplasms, CT
- Liver, CT
- Portography
- Triglycerides
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging