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Can virtual monochromatic images from dual-energy CT replace low-kVp images for abdominal contrast-enhanced CT in small- and medium-sized patients?

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lv, P; Zhou, Z; Liu, J; Chai, Y; Zhao, H; Guo, H; Marin, D; Gao, J
Published in: Eur Radiol
June 2019

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the image quality and radiation dose of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) with automatic spectral imaging protocol selection (ASIS) compared with those of low-kVp CT in abdominal multiphase CT. METHODS: Four groups of 60 patients each underwent abdominal scans with low-kVp CT (A, 80 kVp/300 mg I/kg, body mass index [BMI] ≤ 23.9 kg/m2; C, 100 kVp/400 mg I/kg, BMI ranging from 24 to 28.9 kg/m2) or DECT with ASIS, and the 40- to 60-keV virtual monochromatic images (VMIs) generated (B and D) were matched by age, gender, BMI, cross-sectional area, and contrast agent dose; 9 patients were excluded due to technical failures. The CT number, image noise, contrast-to-noise ratio, and subjective image quality were compared between the matched protocols (A and B or C and D) on 1.25-mm reconstructed images. RESULTS: VMIs at approximately 55 keV and 62 keV had CT numbers and contrast similar to those of 80-kVp and 100-kVp CT images, respectively. Compared to matched low-kVp images, VMIs at 50 keV provided a higher CT number and image noise and a similar or higher contrast and overall image quality. The radiation dose for DECT was higher than that of 80-kVp CT (increased by 10%), but was similar to that of 100-kVp CT. CONCLUSION: Compared to matched low-kVp CT, VMIs at 50 keV in DECT with ASIS provided similar or higher overall image quality, with no or minimal dose penalty in small- and medium-sized patients. KEY POINTS: • Virtual monochromatic images at approximately 55 keV and 62 keV have CT numbers and contrast similar to those of 80-kVp and 100-kVp CT images, respectively, with a given noise index. • The radiation dose in dual-energy CT with automatic spectral imaging protocol selection was slightly higher than that of 80-kVp CT (increased by 10%) but was similar to that of 100-kVp CT. • Dual-energy CT may be able to replace l00-kVp CT for routine clinical abdominal contrast-enhanced CT scans.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Eur Radiol

DOI

EISSN

1432-1084

Publication Date

June 2019

Volume

29

Issue

6

Start / End Page

2878 / 2889

Location

Germany

Related Subject Headings

  • Virtual Reality
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Liver Diseases
  • Liver
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Humans
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Lv, P., Zhou, Z., Liu, J., Chai, Y., Zhao, H., Guo, H., … Gao, J. (2019). Can virtual monochromatic images from dual-energy CT replace low-kVp images for abdominal contrast-enhanced CT in small- and medium-sized patients? Eur Radiol, 29(6), 2878–2889. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-018-5850-z
Lv, Peijie, Zhigang Zhou, Jie Liu, Yaru Chai, Huiping Zhao, Hua Guo, Daniele Marin, and Jianbo Gao. “Can virtual monochromatic images from dual-energy CT replace low-kVp images for abdominal contrast-enhanced CT in small- and medium-sized patients?Eur Radiol 29, no. 6 (June 2019): 2878–89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-018-5850-z.
Lv, Peijie, et al. “Can virtual monochromatic images from dual-energy CT replace low-kVp images for abdominal contrast-enhanced CT in small- and medium-sized patients?Eur Radiol, vol. 29, no. 6, June 2019, pp. 2878–89. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/s00330-018-5850-z.
Lv P, Zhou Z, Liu J, Chai Y, Zhao H, Guo H, Marin D, Gao J. Can virtual monochromatic images from dual-energy CT replace low-kVp images for abdominal contrast-enhanced CT in small- and medium-sized patients? Eur Radiol. 2019 Jun;29(6):2878–2889.
Journal cover image

Published In

Eur Radiol

DOI

EISSN

1432-1084

Publication Date

June 2019

Volume

29

Issue

6

Start / End Page

2878 / 2889

Location

Germany

Related Subject Headings

  • Virtual Reality
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Liver Diseases
  • Liver
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Humans