#tweetorial on chest CT protocol selection.
Topic: when to order CT with & without IV contrast.
Read on to learn more. (Chest CTA is different - 2nd #tweetorial to follow). @Hopkins_Rad @RadiologyACR @CardiacRad @LindaChuMD @JavadAzadi @ctisus
Topic: when to order CT with & without IV contrast.
Read on to learn more. (Chest CTA is different - 2nd #tweetorial to follow). @Hopkins_Rad @RadiologyACR @CardiacRad @LindaChuMD @JavadAzadi @ctisus
1/How do we perform a CT with and without contrast?
2/CT w & wo is a protocol that includes an un-enhanced scan followed by 1 or more IV contrast enhanced scans. Radiation dose is at least 2x higher and cost is higher for the patient, so this protocol should be limited to select indications where it adds value.
3/In chest imaging, CT with & without IV contrast adds important diagnostic information in a few clinical settings. In particular, after aortic graft or stent repair the un-enhanced scan helps us distinguish surgical pledgets & calcification from pseudoaneurysms & endoleaks.
4/Chest CT with IV contrast is the best protocol for most indications, particularly for evaluation of the mediastinum.
5/IV contrast can be avoided for chest CT in these clinical scenarios:
6/Thanks for reading! Next topic will be ordering chest CTA. Here is a prior #tweetorial for ordering abdominal CT:
Loading suggestions...