Hand exercise during contrast medium delivery at thoracic helical CT: a simple method to minimize perivenous artifact.

摘要

PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to assess the effects of hand exercise on perivenous artifact caused by undiluted venous contrast material at thoracic helical CT. METHOD: Eighty patients were prospectively and randomly assigned to thoracic helical CT with (n = 42) or without (n = 38) intermittent squeezing of a hand-sized ball during delivery of a contrast material. Two radiologists graded perivenous artifact and arterial enhancement in a blind fashion. CT attenuation values were obtained by region-of-interest measurements from arteries and veins. RESULTS: Both qualitative and quantitative analyses showed statistically significant differences in the assessment of perivenous artifact (p < 0.01). Perivenous artifact from the subclavian vein was significantly reduced in patients subjected to thoracic helical CT by using a hand exercise method. CONCLUSION: Hand exercise during contrast material delivery at thoracic helical CT minimizes perivenous artifact and improves image quality.