Contrast Volume Reduction in Oncologic Body Imaging Using Dual-Energy CT: A Comparison with Single-Energy CT
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: To evaluate the feasibility of reducing contrast volume in oncologic body imaging using dual-energy CT (DECT) by (1) identifying the optimal virtual monochromatic imaging (VMI) reconstruction using DECT and (2) comparing DECT performed with reduced iodinated...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Diagnostics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/6/707 |
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| Summary: | <b>Background/Objectives</b>: To evaluate the feasibility of reducing contrast volume in oncologic body imaging using dual-energy CT (DECT) by (1) identifying the optimal virtual monochromatic imaging (VMI) reconstruction using DECT and (2) comparing DECT performed with reduced iodinated contrast media (ICM) volume to single-energy CT (SECT) performed with standard ICM volume. <b>Methods</b>: In this retrospective study, we quantitatively and qualitatively compared the image quality of 35 thoracoabdominopelvic DECT across 9 different virtual monoenergetic image (VMI) levels (from 40 to 80 keV) using a reduced volume of ICM (0.3 gI/kg of body weight) to determine the optimal keV reconstruction level. Out of these 35 patients, 20 had previously performed SECT with standard ICM volume (0.3 gI/kg of body weight + 9 gI), enabling protocol comparison. The qualitative analysis included overall image quality, noise, and contrast enhancement by two radiologists. Quantitative analysis included contrast enhancement measurements, contrast-to-noise ratio, and signal-to-noise ratio of the liver parenchyma and the portal vein. ANOVA was used to identify the optimal VMI level reconstruction, while <i>t</i>-tests and paired <i>t</i>-tests were used to compare both protocols. <b>Results</b>: VMI<sub>60 keV</sub> provided the highest overall image quality score. DECT with reduced ICM volume demonstrated higher contrast enhancement and lower noise than SECT with standard ICM volume (<i>p</i> < 0.001). No statistical difference was found in the overall image quality between the two protocols (<i>p</i> = 0.290). <b>Conclusions</b>: VMI<sub>60 keV</sub> with reduced contrast volume provides higher contrast and lower noise than SECT at a standard contrast volume. DECT using a reduced ICM volume is the technique of choice for oncologic body CT. |
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| ISSN: | 2075-4418 |