Comparison of 2 contrast materials with different iodine concentrations in 3-dimensional computed tomography angiography of the hepatic artery at multi-detector-row computed tomography: a randomized study.

Objective: To investigate differences in visual evaluation of the hepatic arteries and contrast enhancement of the vessels and liver at 3-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) angiography by 2 different concentrations of contrast materials. Methods: Eighty patients were randomly assigned into groups A and B receiving contrast materials with iodine concentrations of 300 and 370 mg/mL, respectively. The total iodine load (600 mg/kg), iodine injection time (25 seconds), and saline flush time (10 seconds) were identical. Results: Seventy-two patients were evaluable. There were no differences between the 2 groups in visual evaluation of the hepatic arteries at 3D CT angiography. Contrast enhancement of the aorta at the late arterial phase and the liver at the portal phase was significantly higher in group B than in group A, but otherwise, there were no differences. Enhancement of the aorta and portal vein was higher in women than in men at some phases. Conclusions: With the same iodine dose and injection time, the concentration of contrast materials did not seem to be important in obtaining optimal images at 3D CT angiography of the hepatic artery.