Are we systematically overdosing women? Revisiting standardized contrast protocols for thoracoabdominal CT scans
Question This study addresses whether current standardized iodinated contrast media protocols lead to systematically higher iodine enhancement in women than in men during thoracoabdominal CT. Findings Women consistently show greater iodine enhancement in blood and abdominal organs compared to BMI-matched men when receiving identical volumes of contrast media. Clinical relevance Adjusting contrast media dosage based on blood volume in venous-phase CT scans could equalize parenchymal and intravascular iodine enhancement across sexes. This approach may reduce unnecessary contrast exposure in women, lower associated risks, and optimize healthcare resource allocation.
Authors
- Adrian Huber (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2528-4938)
- Stefanie Bette
- Gernot Müller (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4426-6252)
- Luca Canalini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7142-0016)
- Florian Schwarz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9889-5153)
- Franka Risch (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9728-4649)
- Judith Becker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5159-5751)
- Tim Tobias Arndt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0700-6590)
- Thomas Kröncke (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4889-1036)
- Claudia Wollny
- Christian Scheurig‐Muenkler (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0702-7460)
- Josua A. Decker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6876-1373)
- Anna Rubeck (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8730-7596)
Institutions
- University of Augsburg (DE)
- University Hospital Augsburg (DE)
- Klinik Donaustauf (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- European Radiology
- Published
- 2025-01-09
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-024-11329-8
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Radiation Dose and Imaging
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.36