Comparative Study Of Low Versus Conventional Volume Contrast Media In Head And Neck Computed Tomography Angiography

Objective:To study the feasibility of low volume contrast media in head and neck CTA prospectively. Methods:61patients were randomized into two groups. Contrast media was administered at a dose of50ml in group A patients and of70ml in group B patients. The attenuation values of the arteries at the three levels of aortic arch, hyoid and middle cerebral artery(MCA) were measured. Artifact of subclavian vein, the degree of vein contamination and reconstruction imaging quality were compared between the two groups. Results:The attenuation values of the arteries at the level of hyoid and MCA have no statistically significant difference between the two doses (p>0.05) and it was lower in dose A at the level of aortic arch than in dose B (p<0.05). Artifact of subclavian vein was significantly less in dose A than in dose B(χ2=12.592, p<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the degree of vein contamination(χ2=12.592, p<0.05) and reconstruction imaging quality(2=0.253, p>0.05). Conclusion:The amount of contrast media can be reduced in head and neck computed tomography angiography with128-slice MDCT and the imaging was satisfactory for diagnosis.