Quantitative and Qualitative Comparison of Single-Source Dual-Energy Computed Tomography and 120-kVp Computed Tomography for the Assessment of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Issue 6 (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bhosale, Priya; Le, Ott; Balachandran, Aprana; Fox, Patricia; Paulson, Eric; Tamm, Eric
• Is Part Of: Journal of computer assisted tomography. Volume 39:Issue 6(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma -- 120 kVp -- DECT -- CNR and SNR; Tomography -- Periodicals; Tomography -- Periodicals; Tomography; Periodicals; 616.0757
• DOI: 10.1097/RCT.0000000000000295
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-8715

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) between pancreatic-phase dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) and 120-kVp CT for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). Materials and Methods: Seventy-eight patients underwent multiphasic pancreatic imaging protocols for PDA (40, DECT; 38, 120-kVp CT [control]). Using pancreatic phase, CNR and SNR for PDA were obtained for DECT at monochromatic energies 50 through 80 keV, iodine material density images, and 120-kVp images. Using a 5-point scale (1, excellent; 5, markedly limited), images were qualitatively assessed by 2 radiologists in consensus for PDA detection, extension, vascular involvement, and noise. Wilcoxon signed rank and 2-sample tests were used to compare the qualitative measures, CNR and SNR, for DECT and 120-kVp images. Bonferroni correction was applied. Results: Iodine material density image had significantly higher CNR and SNR for PDA than any monochromatic energy images ( P < 0.0001) and the 120-kVp images. Qualitatively, 70-keV images were rated highest in the categories of tumor extension and vascular invasion and were similar to 120-kVp images. Conclusions: Our results indicate that DECT improves PDA lesion conspicuity compared with routine 120-kVp CT, which may allow for better detection of PDA.