Evaluation of required saline volume in dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography using saline flush technique

The present study was performed to find the required volume of physiological saline for flushing that will allow the most efficient use of contrast medium during the early phase of dynamic CT. We calculated contrast medium aortic arrival time (AT), time to peak aortic enhancement (TPAE) and the elapsed time to TPAE from AT (rise time) from the TECs of pharmacokinetic analysis and clinical study. The rise time determined in the clinical study was 6.2 s, which was shorter than that in the simulation study. In the present study, an appropriate volume for saline flush was estimated to be about 18 ml.