Background Computed tomography venography (CTV) at low kVp using model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) can enhance vascular enhancement with noise reduction. Purpose To evaluate image qualities and radiation doses of CTV at 80 kVp using MBIR and a small iodine contrast media (CM) dose and to compare these with those of CTV performed using a conventional protocol. Material and Methods Sixty-five patients (mean age = 58.1 ± 7.2 years) that underwent CTV for the evaluation of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and varicose veins were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (35 patients, 80 kVp, MBIR, automatic tube current modulation, CM = 270 mg/mL, 100 mL) and Group B (30 patients, 100 kVp, filtered back projection [FBP], 120 fixed mA, CM = 370 mg/mL, 120 mL). Objective and subjective image qualities of inferior vena cava (IVC), femoral vein (FV), and popliteal vein (PV) were assessed and radiation doses were recorded. Results Mean vascular enhancement in group A was significantly lower than in group B ( P < 0.01). Noise in group A was significantly lower than in group B except for PV and contrast-to-noise ratio were not significantly different in the two groups ( P > 0.05). In addition, radiation dose in group A was significantly lower than in group B ( P < 0.001). Subjective image quality comparison revealed group A was statistically inferior to group B except for subjective image noise. Conclusion CTV at 80 kVp using MBIR with small iodine contrast dose provided acceptable image quality at a lower radiation dose than conventional CTV using FBP.
Keywords: Diagnosis; lower extremity; multidetector computed tomography; radiography; veins.