Value of Test-Bolus technology in estimating the amount of contrast agent in CT angiography of head and neck

YANG Yuanshan; HUANG Jinbai; WANG Yujiao; LIU Peng; ZHANG Yao; LIU Yingjun

Abstract：Objective In order to reduce the amount of contrast agent and to improve the quality of imagings, Test-Bolus technology was used to estimate the amount of contrast agent in CTA examination of the head and neck.Methods 63 patients underwent head and neck CTA examination with 64-slice spiral CT.Patients were randomly divided into group A and group B.In group A, there were 28 patients.We estimated the contrast agent dose which was required by the CT value of the carotid artery maximum target increasing to 500 HU according to the time-density curve of carotid artery obtained by Test-Bolus technology.In group B, there were 35 patients.We used 50 ml contrast agent with a fixed dose and compared the contrast agent dose and quality of imagings in two groups, including the degree of enhancement in artery, the Willis ring visual assessment, the interference caused by remained agent in subclavian artery, and internal jugular vein because of homonymous injection.Results 1) In group A, the average contrast agent dose used by patient was (37.5±5.5) ml, which was reduced by 25% compared with patients in group B;2) The two groups of pationts with artery within the CT value in the aortic arich, bifurcation of commom carotid artery, the C1 segment of internal carotid artery, the start of the middle cerebral artery had no significant differences;3) There were no significant diffierences in the willis ring visual assessment;and 4) About the score of the interference caused by remained agent in subclavian artery and the degree of internal jugular vein pollution, group A was higher than groups B.Conclusion Using Test-Bolus technology to estimate the amount of contrast agent in the head and neck CTA examination can reduce the amount of contrast agent and improve the quality of imagings.