Optimization of head and neck vascular CT angiography using variable rate bolus tracking technique and third-generation dual-source CT dual-energy scanning

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the variable rate bolus tracking technique combined with third-generation dual-source CT dual-energy scanning in enhancing the quality of head and neck vascular CT angiography (CTA). Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 202 patients who...

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Main Authors: Wei-Hua Lin, Fei-Peng Zhang, Bing-Quan Wang, Rui-Gang Huang, A-Lai Zhan, Hui-Jun Xiao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:BMC Medical Imaging
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12880-025-01613-4
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author Wei-Hua Lin
Fei-Peng Zhang
Bing-Quan Wang
Rui-Gang Huang
A-Lai Zhan
Hui-Jun Xiao
author_facet Wei-Hua Lin
Fei-Peng Zhang
Bing-Quan Wang
Rui-Gang Huang
A-Lai Zhan
Hui-Jun Xiao
author_sort Wei-Hua Lin
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the variable rate bolus tracking technique combined with third-generation dual-source CT dual-energy scanning in enhancing the quality of head and neck vascular CT angiography (CTA). Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 202 patients who underwent head and neck vascular CTA using a third-generation dual-source CT with dual-energy scanning. Patients were divided based on the contrast injection method into two groups: the variable-rate bolus tracking group (Group A, n = 100) and the fixed flow rate group (Group B, n = 102). We compared subjective image quality, venous artifacts, and objective image quality parameters between the two groups. Results The amount of contrast agent used in Group A was significantly lower than in Group B. Additionally, mean attenuation values of arterial segments in Group A were markedly lower than those in Group B. Compared to Group B, attenuation values of the intracranial venous sinuses, right jugular vein, superior vena cava, right subclavian vein, and left jugular vein in Group A showed significant reductions. No significant difference was observed in the subjective image quality between the two groups. However, venous artifact in the right subclavian vein was significantly diminished in Group A. Conclusion The application of the variable rate bolus tracking technique alongside third-generation dual-source CT dual-energy scanning in head and neck vascular CTA can achieve high-quality imaging while reducing contrast agent dosage. It enhances the attenuation contrast of intracranial arteries and veins and minimizes residual contrast and artifacts in the right subclavian vein.
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spelling doaj-art-fb5c3ff2be4b43188a8d10f3af6b193d2025-08-20T01:57:48ZengBMCBMC Medical Imaging1471-23422025-03-0125111010.1186/s12880-025-01613-4Optimization of head and neck vascular CT angiography using variable rate bolus tracking technique and third-generation dual-source CT dual-energy scanningWei-Hua Lin0Fei-Peng Zhang1Bing-Quan Wang2Rui-Gang Huang3A-Lai Zhan4Hui-Jun Xiao5Department of Radiology, Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical UniversityDepartment of Radiology, Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical UniversityDepartment of Radiology, Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical UniversityDepartment of Radiology, Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical UniversityDepartment of Radiology, Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical UniversityDepartment of Radiology, Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical UniversityAbstract Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the variable rate bolus tracking technique combined with third-generation dual-source CT dual-energy scanning in enhancing the quality of head and neck vascular CT angiography (CTA). Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 202 patients who underwent head and neck vascular CTA using a third-generation dual-source CT with dual-energy scanning. Patients were divided based on the contrast injection method into two groups: the variable-rate bolus tracking group (Group A, n = 100) and the fixed flow rate group (Group B, n = 102). We compared subjective image quality, venous artifacts, and objective image quality parameters between the two groups. Results The amount of contrast agent used in Group A was significantly lower than in Group B. Additionally, mean attenuation values of arterial segments in Group A were markedly lower than those in Group B. Compared to Group B, attenuation values of the intracranial venous sinuses, right jugular vein, superior vena cava, right subclavian vein, and left jugular vein in Group A showed significant reductions. No significant difference was observed in the subjective image quality between the two groups. However, venous artifact in the right subclavian vein was significantly diminished in Group A. Conclusion The application of the variable rate bolus tracking technique alongside third-generation dual-source CT dual-energy scanning in head and neck vascular CTA can achieve high-quality imaging while reducing contrast agent dosage. It enhances the attenuation contrast of intracranial arteries and veins and minimizes residual contrast and artifacts in the right subclavian vein.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12880-025-01613-4Head and neck vascular CTABolus tracking techniqueVariable rateContrast agent dosageDual-source CT
spellingShingle Wei-Hua Lin
Fei-Peng Zhang
Bing-Quan Wang
Rui-Gang Huang
A-Lai Zhan
Hui-Jun Xiao
Optimization of head and neck vascular CT angiography using variable rate bolus tracking technique and third-generation dual-source CT dual-energy scanning
BMC Medical Imaging
Head and neck vascular CTA
Bolus tracking technique
Variable rate
Contrast agent dosage
Dual-source CT
title Optimization of head and neck vascular CT angiography using variable rate bolus tracking technique and third-generation dual-source CT dual-energy scanning
title_full Optimization of head and neck vascular CT angiography using variable rate bolus tracking technique and third-generation dual-source CT dual-energy scanning
title_fullStr Optimization of head and neck vascular CT angiography using variable rate bolus tracking technique and third-generation dual-source CT dual-energy scanning
title_full_unstemmed Optimization of head and neck vascular CT angiography using variable rate bolus tracking technique and third-generation dual-source CT dual-energy scanning
title_short Optimization of head and neck vascular CT angiography using variable rate bolus tracking technique and third-generation dual-source CT dual-energy scanning
title_sort optimization of head and neck vascular ct angiography using variable rate bolus tracking technique and third generation dual source ct dual energy scanning
topic Head and neck vascular CTA
Bolus tracking technique
Variable rate
Contrast agent dosage
Dual-source CT
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12880-025-01613-4
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