Anzeige
Erschienen in:
01.12.2010 | Computed Tomography
Dual energy CT (DECT) of the liver: conventional versus virtual unenhanced images
Erschienen in: European Radiology | Ausgabe 12/2010
Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhaltenAbstract
Objective
To compare image quality and noise of conventional unenhanced (CU) and virtual unenhanced (VU) images in patients who underwent hepatic dual energy computed tomography (DECT) and to assess potential radiation dose reduction.
Materials and methods
Forty consecutive patients were studied. Mean CU and VU image quality and noise were analyzed by two blinded radiologists using a five-point grade scale. The effective radiation dose of a triple-phase protocol (CU, arterial and DE portal phases) were compared with that of a dual-phase protocol (arterial and DE portal phases).
Results
No significant difference in mean image quality was observed between VU (3.92 ± 0.85) and CU images (4.20 ± 0.72). A significant difference in mean image noise was observed between VU and CU (P < 0.01). The dose reduction achieved by omitting the unenhanced acquisition was 30.47 ± 7.07% (P < 0.01). In 6 patients, a complete VU liver image was not obtained.
Conclusions
VU images can be obtained with similar image quality as CU. This approach favors a reduction in patient’s radiation exposure. Nevertheless, a complete abdominal DECT is possible only in patients with a low body mass index, due technical limitations of the present DECT systems.