A hemodynamics study of adrenal veins with four-dimensional computed tomography using quantitative time-density curve characteristics

Purpose Present study quantitatively analyzed adrenal venous flow using four-dimensional computed tomography (4D CT). Materials and Methods We reviewed 4D CT images of 55 patients [mean age, 52 years ± 11 (standard deviation); 23 females] who underwent adrenal venous sampling (AVS) between August 2017 and February 2021. Time–density curves (TDC) were referred for the adrenal venous enhancement. The clinical factors affecting hemodynamics were assessed using uni- and multivariate linear regression analyses. Results The right and left adrenal veins (RAV and LAV, respectively) were visualized in all cases. Mean peak enhancement values in RAV and LAV were 247 ± 67 and 292 ± 70 Hounsfield units (P < 0.01), and were reached at 44.43 ± 6.86 and 45.39 ± 7.53 seconds (P < 0.01), respectively. The body mass index (BMI), plasma renin activity and potassium were significant factors influencing the peak enhancement of RAV blood flow [standardized regression coefficients, -0.327 (P = 0.017), -0.346 (P = 0.013), 0.426 (P = 0.016), respectively]. A linear relationship between sex and the time-to-peak was observed for RAV [standardized regression coefficient, 0.348 (P = 0.046)]. Conclusion RAV had a lower contrast effect than LAV and reached its peak faster. BMI, plasma renin activity, and potassium were associated with flow density in RAV. Sex independently influenced the time-to-peak.