Abstract
Objective: Optimizing the contrast medium injection protocol used during cerebral blood volume (CBV) imaging by C-arm flat panel detector computed tomography (CT) is important in order to achieve good image quality and minimizing contrast medium dosage. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of C-arm CBV obtained through aortic arch injection of 50% diluted contrast medium using a 4F diagnostic catheter positioned directly above the aortic valve.
Materials and Methods: There were 100 enrolled patients with 117 examinations in this study. The total amount of contrast medium used and the frequency of technical errors were measured. CBV values were evaluated in 23 cases with normal circulation.
Results: No complications occurred during the examination. C-arm CT measurement of CBV using the aortic arch injection method was technically successful and provided useful CBV information. However, technical errors occurred in six cases, resulting in significantly degraded CBV images. The mean amount of the contrast medium used was 46.0±4.0 ml. In normal circulation cases, there were significant differences between the left and right hemispheres in the anterior and middle cerebral artery territory, but no significant differences in the posterior cerebral artery territories and basal ganglia.
Conclusion: Preliminary results indicate that C-arm CBV maps are feasible using aortic-arch injection of 50% diluted contrast medium, with the advantage of lowering the contrast dosage requirement below that for injection of undiluted contrast medium. C-arm CBV imaging after injection with 50% diluted contrast medium may provide clinically useful information for patient management.
