ObjectiveTo explore the influence of different concentrations of iodinated contrast agent on image quality of galactography. MethodsBetween June 2008 and October 2009, 50 non-pregnancy and non-lactation patients with mammary papilla discharge underwent breast galactography with digital mammography. All the patients' left breasts were in group L, and right breasts were in group R. The iohexol concentration of iopamidol injection was 370 mg/mL in group L and 300 mg/mL in group R. The image quality and the evaluation of average density of the two groups was analyzed and compared. ResultsThe image quality score of group L and R was 2.8±0.2 (P>0.05). The mean density of main duct of breast axial view in two groups was (4 020.25±96.26) and (3 984.75±117.67) HU, respectively; the mean density of the lateral oblique view was (4 067.13±24.69) and (3 971.25±167.32) HU, respectively; the mean density of the lateral view was (4 058.88±52.07) and (4 034.75±67.54) HU, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionNo obvious difference between the two concentrations of non-ionic iodinated contrast agents (300 and 370 mg/mL) in galactography diagnosis is found.
ObjectiveTo discuss the value of dual-source CT Flash scanning in reducing the dose of radiation in 3D cardiac imaging. MethodWe collected 60 patients from March to August 2014 who should undergo cardiac 3D CT scanning before radiofrequency ablation. They were randomly divided into group A and B with 30 in each. Patients in group A underwent flash technology scanning, while those in group B accepted conventional retrospective electrocardiography-gated scanning. CARE Dose techniques were used to collect data. Scanning parameters were the same for both groups:collimation was 128×0.6 mm, reconstruction thickness was 0.75 mm, reconstruction interval was 0.7 mm, and field of view was 180-200 mm. After image acquisition, we measured the CT values and noise of left atrium and various branches of the pulmonary veins (upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right). Statistical software was used for the two groups of images to analyze the carrier noise ratio (CNR), signal noise ratio (SNR), blinded scores, computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol), and dose-length product (DLP) of the left atrium and pulmonary vein. ResultsCNR and SNR of the left atrium and various pulmonary veins between the two groups had no significant differences (P>0.05) . Blinded scores between the two groups were not significantly different (P>0.05) . CTDIvol in group A and group B was respectively (2.92±0.38) and (20.15±12.09) mGy, with a significant difference (t=?7.803, P<0.001) . DLP of group A was (59.30±6.67) mGy·cm, significantly lower than that in group B [(334.43±216.71) mGy·cm] (t=?6.591, P<0.001) . Flash-efficient radiation dose was (0.83±0.94) mSv in group A, far below that in group B [(4.53±3.03) msv], and the difference was statistically significant (t=?6.684, P<0.001) . ConclusionsDual-source CT Flash technology applied in 3D cardiac scanning can reduce radiation dose as well as meet the needs of image diagnosis.