Feasibility of a low concentration test bolus in CT angiography.

AIM: To investigate the feasibility of using a low-concentration test bolus in abdominal aorta computed tomography (CT) angiography (CTA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 10 patients referred for CTA of the abdominal aorta with a body mass index (BMI) ≤28 kg/m(2), a standard test bolus of 10 ml contrast medium (CM; 350 mg iodine/ml) was compared with a low-concentration test bolus (5 ml CM; 350 mg iodine/ml; 1:1 diluted with saline) in terms of time to peak enhancement (tPE) and peak enhancement (PE).

RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the standard and low-concentration test bolus in terms of tPE and PE.

CONCLUSIONS: A low-concentration test bolus (5 ml, 1:1 diluted with saline) is feasible in patients with a BMI ≤28 kg/m(2).