[Three-dimensional imaging of hepatic and intrahepatic portal veins with helical CT: determination of optimal volume of contrast medium by intravenous injection using MIP technique]

In this study, the optimal volume of contrast medium in the liver for three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the hepatic and portal veins by helical CT were determined by intravenous injection using the MIP technique. In the 48 cases examined, CT images of the liver were obtained following the administration of contrast medium (90, 120, or 150 ml and 1.0,or = 1.5 ml; 1.5,or = 2.0 ml; 2.0,or = 2.5 ml or 2.5,or = 3.0 ml/kg) for determination of the optimal volume. The mean body weight of the patients was 59 kg. Contrast medium (Iopamidol 300 mgl/ml) was injected at a rate of 3 ml/sec, and scanning was initiated 70 sec after the beginning of injection. Images were obtained throughout the entire liver using 5-mm collimation. MIP images were graded from poor to excellent based on their visualization of the hepatic vessels. Images produced with 120 ml of contrast medium presented excellent images of hepatic vessels, superior to those produced with 90 ml (hepatic vein: p.001, portal vein: p.001). Images produced with 2.0,or = 2.5 ml/kg of contrast medium presented excellent images of the portal vein, superior to those produced with 1.5,or = 2.0 ml/kg ml (p0.05). It is evident from the present data that a contrast medium volume of more than 120 ml or 2.0,or = 2.5 ml/kg is sufficient for three-dimensional imaging of hepatic vessels. These images may be a useful diagnostic tool in patients with hepatic disease.