Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of the saline flush technique for abdominal multidetector-row computed tomography (CT).
Methods: As a clinical study, 147 patients with chronic hepatic disease were divided into two groups: group A, given 100 cc of contrast material flushed with 50 cc of saline; and group B, given 100 cc of contrast material only. The difference in attenuation values between groups A and B, and cirrhotic liver and non-cirrhotic liver were evaluated. As an in-vitro experimental study, time vs. peak pressure curve was obtained changing injection devices.
Results: Group B showed a greater contrast enhancement effect in the early arterial equilibrium phase of the aorta and late arterial phase of the liver. In cirrhotic liver, the aorta showed greater contrast enhancement in the early arterial phase in group A. Attenuation values of hypervascular hepatic nodules showed no statistically significant difference between groups A and B. Time to reach peak pressure was prolonged when using saline flush devices in vitro. Flow of contrast material from the contrast material cylinder to the saline cylinder was also discovered.
Conclusion: Saline flush causes peak arterial contrast to be strong for a short duration. Abdominal organ attenuation values are not necessarily increased in the saline flush method. It is important to know that contrast enhancement is dependent on the injection device.