Objective To evaluate the feasibility of 80 kV tube kilovoltage in aortic artery CT angiography with 256-slice CT. Methods A total of 62 patients undergoing aortic artery CTA were enrolled into this study and divided into conventional tube kilovoltage (120 kV, n = 31 ) and low tube kilovoltage (80 kV, n = 31 ). The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) , contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and effective dose (E) were evaluated, respectively. Results The mean image SNR was ( 35.92 ± 5.04) and ( 33.95 ± 8. 30) for conventional tube kilovoltage and low tube kilovoltage,respectively, with no significant difference (t = 1. 131, P =0. 263). The mean image CNR was (30. 32 ±4.78) and (28.71 ± 7.96 ) for conventional tube kilovoltage and low tube kilovoltage, respectively, with no significant difference ( t = 0. 964, P = 0. 339 ). The average effective dose ( E ) was ( 14. 28 ± 0.96 )mSv and (9. 72± 0. 81 )mSv for conventional tube kilovoltage and low tube kilovoltage, respectively, with significant difference ( t = 20. 12, P ＜ 0. 001 ). Conclusions 80 kV tube kilovoltage aortic artery CTA can reduce radiation dose by 31.9% , and contrast dose 50% ,and maintain image quality compared with 120 kV tube kilovoltage.

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between abdominal fat volume and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome in obesity people.

METHODSFrom July 2009 to July 2010, 50 patients with BMI > 25 were prospectively selected for study from the patients who complained of snoring in the Respiratory department. The patients were divided into OSAHS group and non-OSAHS group according to the result of sleep apnea monitoring. All the patients also received full abdominal CT and the whole abdominal fat volume was measured by 3-D CT reconstruction system. SPSS 13.0 was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTSThe whole abdominal fat volume in the two groups was analyzed by T- test, which was significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.01). It showed that there was a statistical relationship between OSAHS and abdominal fat in obesity people.

CONCLUSIONIn obesity people, OSAHS has a close relationship with abdominal fat volume. The abdominal fat volume is markedly higher in OSAHS patients than that in non-OSAHS people.

Abdominal Fat ; diagnostic imaging ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; diagnostic imaging ; Prospective Studies ; Radiography ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; epidemiology