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Low-dose unenhanced CT for IV contrast bolus timing: is it reliable to assess hepatic steatosis?

Publication ,  Journal Article
Husarik, DB; Boll, DT; Nelson, RC; Merkle, EM
Published in: Acad Radiol
July 2011

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To determine whether an unenhanced low-dose image acquired during automated contrast bolus timing can be used to assess hepatic steatosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty subjects (29 male, 21 female; 26-92 years; mean body mass index (BMI; 26.9) with abdominal multiphasic computed tomography were included. Abdominal diameters and circumferences were derived from anteroposterior and lateral scout radiographs. Hepatic attenuation (HA) was measured on unenhanced low-dose images (120 kV; 40 mA; 0.5 seconds' rotation time) and corresponding unenhanced standard-dose images (120 kV, z-axis automatic tube current modulation, noise index 11.5). Noise estimates were measured in surrounding air. Pearson correlation was calculated between abdominal circumference and BMI. Mean HA assessed on low-dose images and standard-dose images was compared using a paired Student's t-test and Bland Altman plots. RESULTS: Abdominal circumference (mean, 142.8cm) correlated well with BMI (r = 0.83). No significant difference was found for HA on low-dose images (mean +57.7 HU) compared to HA on standard-dose images (+56.0 HU) (P = .077). Image noise (+11.5 HU) was significantly higher on low-dose images compared to image noise (+8.1 HU) on standard-dose images (P < .05). For HA mean difference comparing low- and standard-dose images was -1.7 HU (limits of agreement: -14.6, 11.2). CONCLUSION: In all subjects, hepatic attenuation can be correctly assessed on unenhanced low-dose images.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Acad Radiol

DOI

EISSN

1878-4046

Publication Date

July 2011

Volume

18

Issue

7

Start / End Page

822 / 827

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Image Enhancement
  • Humans
  • Female
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Husarik, D. B., Boll, D. T., Nelson, R. C., & Merkle, E. M. (2011). Low-dose unenhanced CT for IV contrast bolus timing: is it reliable to assess hepatic steatosis? Acad Radiol, 18(7), 822–827. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acra.2011.02.013
Husarik, Daniela B., Daniel T. Boll, Rendon C. Nelson, and Elmar M. Merkle. “Low-dose unenhanced CT for IV contrast bolus timing: is it reliable to assess hepatic steatosis?Acad Radiol 18, no. 7 (July 2011): 822–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acra.2011.02.013.
Husarik DB, Boll DT, Nelson RC, Merkle EM. Low-dose unenhanced CT for IV contrast bolus timing: is it reliable to assess hepatic steatosis? Acad Radiol. 2011 Jul;18(7):822–7.
Husarik, Daniela B., et al. “Low-dose unenhanced CT for IV contrast bolus timing: is it reliable to assess hepatic steatosis?Acad Radiol, vol. 18, no. 7, July 2011, pp. 822–27. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.acra.2011.02.013.
Husarik DB, Boll DT, Nelson RC, Merkle EM. Low-dose unenhanced CT for IV contrast bolus timing: is it reliable to assess hepatic steatosis? Acad Radiol. 2011 Jul;18(7):822–827.
Journal cover image

Published In

Acad Radiol

DOI

EISSN

1878-4046

Publication Date

July 2011

Volume

18

Issue

7

Start / End Page

822 / 827

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Image Enhancement
  • Humans
  • Female