Specific Anatomic Region

Kidney

Application

Suspected renal mass

Author

Fishman EK, Urban, BA

Reference Source

Spiral CT Evaluation of the Kidney (in: Spiral CT: Principles, Techniques and Clinical Applications. Fishman, Jeffrey, eds. 1998)

Scanner Used

Siemens Somatom Plus 4

Injection Rate

3cc/sec

Contrast Volume and Type

120cc Omnipaque 350

Area Scanned

From 2cm above to 2cm below kidneys

Scan Delay (2 delays if dual spiral)

30sec/70 sec (dual spiral)

Length of Spiral (time)

30-40sec each

Slice Thickness

3-5mm

Table Speed/Pitch

3-5mm

Reconstruction Interval

2-3mm

3D Technique Used

Volume rendering

Comment: A few noncontrast scans (5mm) are obtained prior to injecting contrast. The key to an accurate evaluation of a renal mass is imaging in several different phases to look at the enhancement pattern and lesion borders.