Evaluation of triphasic helical computed tomography of the kidneys in clinically normal dogs

Abstract

Objective - To determine computed tomography (CT) delay times by use of a sequential scan and identify the normal enhancement pattern in each phase of a triphasic CT scan of the kidneys in dogs. Animals - 14 healthy Beagles. Procedures - A sequential CT scan was used for investigating delay time, and a triphasic helical CT scan was used for identifying the normal enhancement pattern and determining Hounsfield unit values in the kidneys of dogs. Results - In the cine scan (single-slice dynamic scan), the optimal delay times were 10 seconds in the corticomedullary phase and 44 seconds in the nephrographic phase, after contrast medium injection. By use of triphasic CT images, Hounsfield unit values were acquired in each phase. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance - Triphasic CT of the kidneys in clinically normal dogs was established by acquisition of delay times in a cine scan and may become an important imaging modality in the diagnosis of renal diseases and in treatment planning in dogs.