Carotid and cerebral CTA examinations using 128-section CT can be successfully obtained using an imaging protocol that combines low voltage and 50% reduction in the volume of iodinated contrast material. This provides good image quality with low radiation dose.
Objective:We aimed to investigate the effectiveness and radiation protection capability of latex gloves coated with various contrast agents as an alternative to lead gloves.Methods:The following six groups were created to evaluate the permeability of X-ray in this experimental study: lead gloves, two different non-ionic contrast media (iopromide 370/100 mg I/mL and iomeprol 400/100 mg I/mL), 10% povidone–iodine (PV–I), 240/240 g/mL barium sulphate and a mixture of equal amounts of all contrast agents. A radiation dose detector was placed in coated latex gloves for each one. The absorption values of radiation from latex gloves coated with various contrast agents were measured and compared with the absorption of radiation from lead gloves. This study was designed as an ‘experimental study’.Results:The mean absorption value of X-ray from lead gloves was 3.0±0.08 µG/s. The mean absorption values of X-ray from latex gloves coated with various contrast agents were 3.7±0.09 µG/s (iopromide 370/100 mg I/mL), 3.6±0.09 µG/s (iomeprol 400/100 mg I/mL), 3.7±0.04 µG/s (PV–I), 3.1±0.07 µG/s (barium sulphate) and 3.8±0.05 µG/s (mixture of all contrast agents). Latex gloves coated with barium sulphate provided the best radiation absorption compared with latex gloves coated with other radiodense contrast agents.Conclusion:Latex gloves coated with barium sulphate may provide protection equivalent to lead gloves.
Background: Using a low volume of contrast medium and tube voltage may enhance the opacification of pulmonary arteries and thrombus detection without decreasing the image quality. In addition, this protocol can also ensure that exposure of the patient to the contrast medium and radiation dose may be significantly reduced. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficiency of low tube voltage and low dose iodine-based contrast medium in computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and optimize its use in the diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). Patients and Methods: We included a total of 100 patients undergoing CTPA with an initial diagnosis of PTE into two groups: group A (n = 50) was given a contrast medium (CM) dose of 0.5 mL/kg at 80 kV while group B (n = 50) was given a CM dose of 1 mL/kg at 100 kV. Bolus tracking technique was used. Attenuation values were measured from the center of different pulmonary arterial segments. Values over 350 Hounsfield unit (HU) were accepted as significant. Image qualities of all pulmonary arterial segments were sufficient for diagnosis. The mean and effective doses of radiation received by patients in the two groups were compared. Results: PTE was detected in twenty-one patients (21%) in both groups. Total mean attenuation values for pulmonary arteries were significantly higher in group A than in group B (532.7 ± 243 HU vs. 380.6 ± 232 HU respectively, P < 0.001). Total dose length product (DLP) (76.5 ± 17.3 mGy.cm vs. 162.1 ± 31.3 mGy.cm, P < 0.001) and effective dose values (1.2 ± 0.2 mSv vs. 2.4 ± 0.2 mSv, P < 0.001) were significantly lower in group A compared to group B. Conclusion: CTPA may be obtained using an imaging protocol with low kV and reduced volume of contrast medium in the diagnosis of PTE.
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