Spiral CT of the neck: When do neck malignancies delineate best during contrast enhancement?

The aim of this study was to determine the time of best contrast of neck malignancies in contrast-enhanced CT. The CT was done in 20 patients with squamous cell carcinoma using a standard protocol (100 ml contrast agent at 2 ml/s). Dynamic series of the tumors were performed (scan interval 6 s). In all relevant structures of the neck, densities were measured to obtain time-density curves. The best tumor contrast was measured > or =50 s after the start of the injection, and the best contrast of lymph nodes < or =75 s. For staging and volume measurements of neck primaries the best achievable contrast is necessary. Using the examined single-bolus technique, spiral CT allows a combination of perfect tumor contrast with a good contrast between lymph nodes and neck vessels between 50 and 75 s after starting the injection.