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Dual energy CT (DECT) of the liver: conventional versus virtual unenhanced images

  • Computed Tomography
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Abstract

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiovascular Radiology, Ospedale San Camillo-Forlanini, Circonvallazione Gianicolense, 87, 00152, Rome, Italy

    Carlo Nicola De Cecco, Vitaliano Buffa, Stefano Fedeli, Monica Luzietti, Andrea Vallone & Roberto Ruopoli

  2. Emergency Radiology, Ospedale San Camillo-Forlanini, Circonvallazione Gianicolense, 87, 00152, Rome, Italy

    Vittorio Miele

  3. Department of Radiological Sciences, University of Rome “Sapienza” - St. Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa, 1035, 00189, Rome, Italy

    Carlo Nicola De Cecco, Michelangelo Maurizi Enrici & Vincenzo David

  4. Department of Radiological Sciences, University of Rome “Sapienza”- Polo Pontino, Via Franco Faggiana, 34, 04100, Latina, Italy

    Marco Rengo, Pasquale Paolantonio & Andrea Laghi

  5. Via di Grottarossa, 1035, 00189, Rome, Italy

    Carlo Nicola De Cecco

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  1. Carlo Nicola De Cecco
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  2. Vitaliano Buffa
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  3. Stefano Fedeli
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  4. Monica Luzietti
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  5. Andrea Vallone
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  6. Roberto Ruopoli
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  7. Vittorio Miele
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  8. Marco Rengo
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  9. Pasquale Paolantonio
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  10. Michelangelo Maurizi Enrici
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  11. Andrea Laghi
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  12. Vincenzo David
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Correspondence to Carlo Nicola De Cecco.

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De Cecco, C.N., Buffa, V., Fedeli, S. et al. Dual energy CT (DECT) of the liver: conventional versus virtual unenhanced images. Eur Radiol 20, 2870–2875 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-010-1874-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-010-1874-8

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