Customised weight-based volume contrast media protocol in CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis examination

Introduction: Fixed volume (FV) contrast media administration during CT examination is the standard practice in most healthcare institutions. We aim to validate a customised weight-based volume (WBV) method and compare it to the conventional FV methods, introduced in a regional setting. Methods: 220 patients underwent CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis (CAP) using a standard FV protocol, and subsequently, a customised 1.0 mL/kg WBV protocol within one year. Both image sets were assessed for contrast enhancement using CT attenuation at selected regions-of-interest (ROIs). The visual image quality was evaluated by three radiologists using a 4-point Likert scale. Quantitative CT attenuation was correlated with the visual quality assessment to determine the HU's enhancement indicative of the image quality grades. Contrast media usage was calculated to estimate cost-savings from both protocols. Results: Mean patient age was 61 +/- 14 years, and weight was 56.1 +/- 8.7 kg. FV protocol produced higher contrast enhancement than WBV, p < 0.001. CT images' overall contrast enhancement was negatively correlated with body weight for FV protocol while the WBV protocol produced more consistent enhancement across different body weight. More than 90% of the images from both protocols were graded "Excellent". WBV protocol also enabled a 28% cost reduction with cost savings of US$1238. Conclusion: The customised WBV protocol produced CT images which were comparable to FV protocol for CT CAP examinations. A median CT value of 100 HU can be an indicator of good image quality for the WBV protocol.