Detection of Pulmonary Embolism With CT Pulmonary Angiography Using Reduced Contrast Medium and Radiation Dose: Comparison of 100 kVp and 80 kVp Protocols

Background

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third most common cause of death in the U.S., with at least 650,000 cases occurring annually. Its frequency is similar in Europe. With the new generation of multi-detector Computed tomography scanners it is possible to depict the pulmonary vascular tree with a single intravenous injection of iodinated contrast medium (CM) in one breath-hold. This non-invasive method can delineate pulmonary arteries to their third-fourth branches and its overall negative predictive value lies above 99%. Therefore, Computed tomography-angiography with multi-detector scanners (MDCTA) is nowadays the preferred modality over conventional angiography or nuclear scintigraphic ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scanning of the lung to exclude acute Pulmonary embolism(PE).

Unfortunately, Computed tomography uses ionising radiation and is already the largest contributor of radiation dose to the population in the Western countries. Most recent reports suggest that 1.5 to 2% of all fatal cancers are induced by Computed tomography in the U.S, equalling 25,420 cases per year. Furthermore, the rate of young adults with suspected Pulmonary embolism (PE) repeatedly examined with Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiography (MDCTA) is growing. Therefore, policies to reduce patient exposure are becoming more important in order to reduce the risk of developing cancer in the patients´ later life. On the other hand, elderly patients, who often has an impaired renal function or diabetes, may develop contrast induced nephropathy after the application of iodinated contrast media in, which is one of the most common causes of renal failure. Reducing iodine load in this patient group can efficiently prevent nephropathy, saving patients from dialysis and reducing medical costs.

Computed tomography protocols using low x-ray tube potential are capable of lowering radiation exposure with simultaneous increase of signal from the contrasted vessels. Furthermore, the higher vessel signal makes a reduction of the injected iodinated contrast material possible. Thus, low-kVp pulmonary CTA is warranted for routine use not only in younger patients to reduce radiation dose but also in the elderly to reduce the risk of contrast induced nephropathy.

In 2007 we reduced the tube energy of our routine pulmonary Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiography (MDCTA) protocol from 120 to 100 kVp which significantly reduced radiation dose. Our experience in more than 200 patients and results from a simulation study show that 80 kVp CTPA protocols using reduced radiation exposure by 40% and reduced volume of the injected contrast material by 25% provide an excellent image quality and a very good delineation of PE in patients weighing up to 100 kg. However, there is no clinical evidence based from prospective trials on the impact of low-dose CTPA on the detection of PE. Therefore, a large scale prospective randomised study comparing 100 kVp and 80 kVp protocols in respect sensitivity and specificity is warranted.