Application value of low-dose contrast agent combining normal saline solution in head-neck computed tomographic angiography

DONG Xiang-bao

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-4055.2016.08.38

Abstract：Objective To investigate the Application value of low-dose contrast agent combining normal saline solution in head-neck computed tomographic angiography (CTA).Methods The patients (n=82) examined with head-neck CTA due to dizziness or limb spasm were chosen from the Xuzhou Civil Administration Hospital from Mar. 2014 to Jun. 2015, and then randomly divided into low-dose group and control group (eachn=41). The low-dose group was given contrast agent (50 ml) and normal saline solution (20 ml), and control group was only given contrast agent (70 ml). All collected original images were given technological reconstructions, and the final outcomes of head-neck CTA were obtained after 3 skilled radiological practitioners reading jointly original and reconstructed images and reaching consensus. The quality of images and CT values were compared between 2 groups, and image displays were scored in 2 groups.Results The average age was (48.53±11.46) in low-dose group and (49.74±11.92) in control group, sex ratio was 27/14 in low-dose group and 28/13 in control group, and body mass index (BMI) was (22.62±2.54) kg/m2 in low-dose group and (22.44±2.63) kg/m2 in control group. The differences in sex constituent, average age, average height, average weight and BMI had no statistical significant (P>0.05). The differences in scores of image displays of carotid artery and intracranial artery had no statistical significant (P>0.05), and scores of vein image displays were better in low-dose group than those in control group (χ2=11.439,P<0.01). The cross-sectional bitmap and charts of volume rendering (VR) and maximal intensity projection (MIP) showed clearly vessels in low-dose group, and the imaging results were better than those in control group. The comparison in artery maximum reinforcement (t=0.129), scores of brain artery branches (t=0.384), scores of cerebral venous interference (t=-1.221) and arteriovenous maximum reinforcement difference (t=-1.228) had no significant differences between 2 groups (P>0.05). The CT values of aortic arch, bifurcation of right common carotid artery (CCA) and left CCA bifurcation were all higher in low-dose group than those in control group (P<0.01), and the comparison in CT values of right and left middle cerebral arteries had no significant difference between 2 groups (P>0.05). Conclusion In head-neck CTA, better CTA images can be obtained by applying low-dose contrast agent combining normal saline solution, which can provide reliable diagnostic evidence with higher clinical values.