Dual-Energy Multidetector-Row Computed Tomography of the Hepatic Arterial System. Issue 5 (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marin, Daniele; Caywood, Devin T.; Mileto, Achille; Reiner, Caecilia S.; Seaman, Danielle M.; Patel, Bhavik N.; Boll, Daniel T.; Nelson, Rendon C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of computer assisted tomography. Volume 39:Issue 5(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Tomography -- Periodicals; Tomography -- Periodicals; Tomography; Periodicals; 616.0757
• DOI: 10.1097/RCT.0000000000000259
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-8715

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Purpose</title> <p>To investigate the optimal dual-energy reconstruction technique for the visualization of the hepatic arterial system during dual-energy multidetector computed tomographic (MDCT) angiography of the liver.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Materials and Methods</title> <p>Twenty-nine nonconsecutive patients underwent dual-energy MDCT angiography of the liver. Synthesized monochromatic (40, 50, 60, and 80 keV) and iodine density data sets were reconstructed. Aortic attenuation, noise, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured. In addition, volume-rendered images were generated and qualitatively assessed by 2 independent readers, blinded to technique. The impact of body size on the readers' scores was also assessed.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results</title> <p>Aortic attenuation, noise, and CNR increased progressively with decreasing keV and were significantly higher between 40 and 60 keV (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001). There was a significant improvement of readers' visualization of arterial anatomy at lower monochromatic energies (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001). Iodine density images yielded significantly higher CNR compared with all monochromatic data sets (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001). However, iodine density images were scored nondiagnostic by the 2 readers.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Synthesized monochromatic images between 40 and 60 keV maximize the magnitude of arterial enhancement and improve visualization of hepatic arterial anatomy at dual-energy MDCT angiography of the liver. Larger body sizes may counteract the benefits of using lower monochromatic energies.</p> </sec> </abstract>