Dual-energy CT workflow: multi-institutional consensus on standardization of abdominopelvic MDCT protocols.
PURPOSE: To standardize workflow for dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) involving common abdominopelvic exam protocols. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 9 institutions (4 rsDECT, 1 dsDECT, 4 both) with 32 participants [average # years (range) in practice and DECT experience, 12.3 (1-35) and 4.6 (1-14), respectively] filled out a single survey (n = 9). A five-point agreement scale (0, 1, 2, 3, 4-contra-, not, mildly, moderately, strongly indicated, respectively) and utilization scale (0-not performing and shouldn't; 1-performing but not clinically useful; 2-performing but not sure if clinically useful; 3-not performing it but would like to; 4-performing and clinically useful) were used. Consensus was considered with a score of ≥2.5. Survey results were discussed over three separate live webinar sessions. RESULTS: 5/9 (56%) institutions exclude large patients from DECT. 2 (40%) use weight, 2 (40%) use transverse dimension, and 1 (20%) uses both. 7/9 (78%) use 50 keV for low and 70 keV for medium monochromatic reconstructed images. DECT is indicated for dual liver [agreement score (AS) 3.78; utilization score (US) 3.22] and dual pancreas in the arterial phase (AS 3.78; US 3.11), mesenteric ischemia/gastrointestinal bleeding in both the arterial and venous phases (AS 2.89; US 2.79), RCC exams in the arterial phase (AS 3.33; US 2.78), and CT urography in the nephrographic phase (AS 3.11; US 2.89). DECT for renal stone and certain single-phase exams is indicated (AS 3.00). CONCLUSIONS: DECT is indicated during the arterial phase for multiphasic abdominal exams, nephrographic phase for CTU, and for certain single-phase and renal stone exams.
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Related Subject Headings
- Workflow
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Radiography, Dual-Energy Scanned Projection
- Radiography, Abdominal
- Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
- Practice Patterns, Physicians'
- Patient Selection
- Multidetector Computed Tomography
- Humans
- Consensus
Citation
Published In
DOI
EISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Workflow
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Radiography, Dual-Energy Scanned Projection
- Radiography, Abdominal
- Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
- Practice Patterns, Physicians'
- Patient Selection
- Multidetector Computed Tomography
- Humans
- Consensus