neck ct injection protocol

papa · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 3:45 pm Post subject: neck ct injection protocol

just thought i'd share this with you guys. try it out, and let me know what you and your docs think:

ct neck: contrast enhancement of veins, arteries, and lymph nodes.

one of the problems with neck ct's is that everything can't be imaged at the same time. arterial phase is between 15 and 30 seconds, venous phase is anywhere between 45 and 60 seconds, and it usually takes 1.5 to 2 minuites for the lymph nodes to enhance. one of the radiologists i work for went to some seminar, and got this biphasic injection protocol, and asked me to try it out. i made some small changes, and tried it today. our doc today loved the images. here's the protocol..

Medrad Dual injector (could also work with a single-head)

1. 20cc 3.5cc/sec test inject saline

2. 40cc 1.2cc/sec contrast (33 seconds total)
3. pause 60 seconds
4. 60cc 3.5cc/sec contrast (17 seconds total)
5. 20cc 3.5cc/sec saline chaser

if you have the option on your scanner to program a scan delay (we got the GE VCT 64), use 123 sec. delay. start the series 2 at the same time with the scanner.

ask any questions, and i'll try to answer..

papa
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papa RT(R)(CT) Mr. Green

Delusional Radiology
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