Analysis of regional pulmonary enhancement in dogs by ultrafast computed
tomography.
Source
Investigative Radiology. 27(3):211-6, 1992 Mar.
Abstract
Measurement of regional pulmonary enhancement was made in five
anesthetized dogs with intravenous contrast material-enhanced ultrafast
computed tomography (CT). Three or four electrocardiogram-gated flow scans *
were performed in each dog in the prone and supine positions. Immediately *
after each flow scan was acquired at four levels (8-mm thick slices), 20
times per level, 0.5 mL/kg (10 mL/second) ionic contrast medium was
injected into the inferior vena cavae. Each level of each lung was divided
into anterior, middle, and posterior regions for time density curve
analysis and regional flow estimation. Images were transferred to an
off-line workstation for lung pixel colorization and subjective
interpretation. There was a statistically significant gravity-related
enhancement gradient in both the supine and prone positions; however, the
gradient was much greater in the supine position. This study shows that
gravity-related contrast medium enhancement gradients in the lung can be
demonstrated by ultrafast CT.
