64-Slice Multidetector Row Computed Tomographic Angiography of Aortoiliac and Lower Extremity Arteries: Efficacy of Test Injection Using a Monitoring Scan at Knee Level

Yasuhiro Nakaya, MD, Tonsok Kim, MD, Masatoshi Hori, MD, PhD, Hiromitsu Onishi, MD, PhD, Noboru Maeda, MD, Hiroki Higashihara, MD, Kaname Tomoda, MD, PhD, and Hironobu Nakamura, MD, PhD

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of test injection technique using a monitoring scan at knee level for 64-slice multidetector row computed tomographic (MDCT) angiography of the abdominal and lower ex­tremity arteries.

Methods: The test injection technique using low-dose serial CT scan at knee level was performed for 58 patients. Time elapsed from contrast material injection to peak enhancement for the popliteal arteries was applied to scan delay for CT angiography. 64-Slice MDCT angiography of the abdominal and lower extremity arteries obtained with a table speed of 137.5 mm/s was evaluated.

Results: The time to peak enhancement was unavailable in 2 cases. CT angiographic images were of good quality in 54 cases, whereas promi­nent enhancement of abdominal veins was observed in 2 cases.

Conclusions: The test injection using a monitoring scan at knee level was found to be useful for 64-slice MDCT angiography of the abdominal and lower extremity arteries.