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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 5/2015

01-05-2015 | Neuro

Cerebral computed tomography angiography using a 70 kVp protocol: improved vascular enhancement with a reduced volume of contrast medium and radiation dose

Authors: Eun-Suk Cho, Tae-Sub Chung, Sung Jun Ahn, KyoungHoon Chong, Jang Hun Baek, Sang Hyun Suh

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 5/2015

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Abstract

Objectives

To determine the feasibility of using a 70-kVp protocol compared with a 120-kVp protocol for cerebral CT angiography. An additional target was to investigate a possible reduction in the volume of contrast medium (CM) using the 70-kVp protocol.

Methods

Attenuation value and CNR for iodine were determined at various tube voltage settings using a phantom. Sixty-nine volunteers were randomly assigned to one of three protocols: group A (120-kVp and CM 64 mL), group B (70-kVp and CM 64 mL), or group C (70-kVp and CM 40 mL). The attenuation value, SNR, and CNR of cerebral arteries, subjective image quality, and radiation dose were compared among the groups.

Results

The vascular attenuation, SNR, and CNR of group B were significantly higher than those of group A. Group C had a significantly higher vascular attenuation than group A. Groups B and C were significantly better than group A with respect to subjective image quality. An effective dose of 70-kVp was 10 % lower than that of 120-kVp.

Conclusions

Using 70-kVp improved arterial enhancement, SNR, and CNR, and provided better subjective image quality, using a 10 % lower effective dose. Furthermore, the 70-kVp protocol may both reduce volume of CM by 37.5 % and improve arterial enhancement.

Key Points

• Cerebral CT angiography at 70-kVp substantially improved vascular enhancement
• Subjective image quality was better at 70-kVp, with lower radiation dose
• The volume of contrast media can be substantially reduced at 70-kVp
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Metadata
Title
Cerebral computed tomography angiography using a 70 kVp protocol: improved vascular enhancement with a reduced volume of contrast medium and radiation dose
Authors
Eun-Suk Cho
Tae-Sub Chung
Sung Jun Ahn
KyoungHoon Chong
Jang Hun Baek
Sang Hyun Suh
Publication date
01-05-2015
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 5/2015
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-014-3540-z

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