Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the image quality and radiation dosage in the 320-slice thoracic and abdominal aorta computed tomography angiography (TAA-CTA) using low tube voltage and low concentration contrast with iterative reconstruction. Methods:Eighty patients requiring TAA-CTA were randomly divided into two groups (40 patients in each group).Patients in group A received CTA scan with 120 kVp and 370 mgI/mL of contrast media.Meanwhile, patients in group B received CTA scan with 80 kVp and 300 mgI/mL of contrast media.SURE Exposure 3D technique and adaptive iterative dose reduction (AIDR) 3D were adopted for both two groups. Image quality, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and radiation dose were evaluated on all of the images.Results:There was no significant difference in age, BMI, and five segmental images quality evaluation between the two groups. CT values of five segmental arterial lumina in group B were higher than that in group A, and difference was obviously significant (P<0.05). SNRs of five segmental arterial lumina in group B were also higher than those in group A. Statistical differences were remarkably significant (P<0.05) in SNRs of four segmental arterial lumina excluding that of femoral artery. Valid radiation dosage in group B was 55%, which was lower than that in group A with a significant statistical difference (P<0.05). Valid iodine intake was reduced by 18.92% in group B than that in group A. Conclusions:Low concentration iodinated contrast (300 mgI/mL) and 80 kVp ultra low tube voltage with AIDR 3D iterative reconstruction for patients requiring TAA-CTA could reduce the radiation dosage and iodine intake without weakening image quality.