Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to validate the accuracy of a method for determining the iodine contrast dose using effective diameter (D(eff)) when performing dynamic computed tomography (CT) scans of the upper abdomen in patients with unknown body weight (BW). METHODS: D(eff) was measured at the heart, at the right diaphragm upper edge, and at the right pulmonary rib diaphragm levels in the localizer radiograph and axial images. Correlation coefficients between D(eff) and BW were determined for each cross section. RESULTS: D(eff_axial) and BW showed the highest correlation at the right diaphragm upper edge level in men (r(S) = 0.862) and at the right pulmonary rib diaphragm level in women (r(S) = 0.890). CONCLUSIONS: The BW estimated from D(eff) showed a strong correlation with measured BW and may serve as a practical alternative in cases where BW is unknown.