Fig. 1

Study protocol which included: (1) a computed tomography (CT) perfusion imaging examination (28 scans performed over 63 s); (2) a 10-min break and finally; (3) a conventional 4-phase CT examination (four scans performed over 4 min). Contrast behaviour over time in three organs, i.e., aorta (red), vertebra (green), and portal vein (blue) are schematically visualised. Black boxes on x-axis: time point of each CT scan. The HU in the aorta and portal vein were measured approximately at the height of vertebra L1. The time curves of the aorta and portal vein are given as a reference for the contrast media behaviour in different blood phases. HU Hounsfield units