Use of additives to contrast media to improve imaging in plain film and computed tomography urography.

Abstract

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES:

To investigate the effects of additives to iodinated radiograph contrast agents on image quality in plain film and CT urography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Urea (52 mg/mL), iloprost (10, 20, 50, and 100 ng/mL), nifedipine (0.02 mg/mL), papaverine (0.625 mg/mL) and sodium nitroprusside (0.05 microg/mL) were added to commercial iopromide (300 mg/mL) and iotrolan preparations (280 mg/mL) and plain film urograms were obtained at different time points after contrast injection in rabbits and dogs at iodine doses of 300 or 600 mg/kg body weight. The experiments were repeated in rabbits using CT imaging and iopromide or iotrolan plus urea (52 mg/mL) or iloprost (20 ng/mL) and iodine doses of 50 mg/kg body weight.

RESULTS:

Urea and iloprost at low concentrations (10 and 20 ng/mL) increased image quality both in plain film and in CT urography. Iloprost at high concentrations (50 and 100 ng/mL), nifedipine, papaverine and sodium nitroprusside decreased image quality. An increase in image quality was accompanied by faster renal elimination of the contrast agent.

CONCLUSION:

Image quality in plain film and CT urography might be improved by additives to the contrast medium. More data, particularly on dose-response relationships are needed.

• Authors: Werner Krause, Matthias Schromm
• Journal: Investigative radiology (Invest Radiol) Vol. 38 Issue 1 Pg. 17-26 (Jan 2003) ISSN: 0020-9996 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12496517 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Contrast Media
• Vasodilator Agents
• Urea

Topics

• Animals
• Contrast Media (adverse effects)
• Dogs
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Image Enhancement (methods)
• Injections
• Rabbits
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed (methods)
• Urea
• Urography (methods)
• Vasodilator Agents
• X-Ray Film