Chest CT was performed using four different CT scanners: Aquilion One-64 (Toshiba Medical Systems), Somatom Sensation-16 and Dual-energy Force (Siemens Medical Solutions), and Discovery HD 750 (GE Medical Systems). The scanning parameters were as follows: 120 kVp; 80–200 mAs; rotation time, 0.5 sec; field of view, 350×350 mm; detector collimation, 64×0.625 mm or 16×0.6 mm; and matrix, 512×512. Two different slice thicknesses of 3.0 mm (n=164) and 2.5 mm (n=15) were obtained, and the corresponding images were reconstructed using soft-tissue and lung kernels, respectively.
CT scanning was conducted during a single deep breath-hold, with the patient in a supine position. The scanning field extended from the level of the thoracic inlet to the level of the adrenal glands. First, a conventional plain CT scan was obtained, and then, an iodinated contrast agent was injected into the antecubital vein of the patient (Ultravist, Bayer Schering Pharma; dose, 1.5 ml/kg; injection rate, 3.5–4.5 ml/sec). Enhanced CT scans in the arterial and venous phases were obtained at 30 and 60 sec, respectively, after the injection of the contrast material.
CT scanning was conducted during a single deep breath-hold, with the patient in a supine position. The scanning field extended from the level of the thoracic inlet to the level of the adrenal glands. First, a conventional plain CT scan was obtained, and then, an iodinated contrast agent was injected into the antecubital vein of the patient (Ultravist, Bayer Schering Pharma; dose, 1.5 ml/kg; injection rate, 3.5–4.5 ml/sec). Enhanced CT scans in the arterial and venous phases were obtained at 30 and 60 sec, respectively, after the injection of the contrast material.