Contrast Enhanced Cerebrum Sequence | CT Beginners Tips

CT Protocols- Beginners Tips

Head CT Protocol for Contrast Enhanced Cerebrum Sequence

Indications

• Detection
• Exclusion or follow up of the intracranial space-occupying lesions including tumors 
• Abscesses, etc.

Patient Positioning

Supine with Headfirst, with Arms beside the trunk.

Topogram Position/Landmark

Lateral; 2-3 cm above the vertex.

Mode of Scanning

Helical

Scan Orientation

Caudocranial

• Starting Location- Level of the occipital squame.
• End Location- Level of the Vertex.

Gantry Tilt

As many degrees as required to make the scanning plane parallel to the cathemeatal line.

Field of View

Just fitting the skull including the Soft Tissue.

Contrast Administration

Intravenous.

Volume of Contrast

60-80 mL.

Rate of Injection of Contrast

2-3 mL/sec.

Scan Delay

30-40 sec.

Slice Thickness in Reconstruction

3-5 mm.

Slice Interval in Reconstruction

Medium Smooth.

3D-Reconstructions

MPR, MIP.

Comments

• The use of a headrest is recommended for head positioning.
• Baseline non-contrast scans can be taken in the sequential mode but with the same slice thickness.
• Ensure that the patient does not move in between the non-contrast and contrast-enhanced scans.
• During scanning avoid the orbits being included in the FOV to minimize radiation to the orbits.
• Coronal and sagittal MPR are prepared in the plane of the lesion.

Criteria of Good Image Quality

• Symmetric position with the orbital plates overlapping with each other.
• Absence of the motion artefacts.
• Absence of beam hardening.
• Optimal opacification of the venous sinuses.

Related Topics

_The Orbit

_Routine Cerebrum Sequence