Dual-energy CT in the differentiation of stage T1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma and lymphoid hyperplasia. Issue 124 (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Peng; Xiao, Zebin; Tang, Zuohua; Wang, Jie
• Is Part Of: European journal of radiology. Issue 124(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: NPCT1 stage T1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma -- LH lymphoid hyperplasia -- ROC receiver operating characteristic curve -- IC iodine concentration -- NIC normalized iodine concentration -- Zeff effective atomic number -- VMIs virtual monochromatic images -- VNC virtual noncontrast -- DECT dual-energy CT -- ROIs regions of interest; Nasopharyngeal carcinoma -- Lymphoid hyperplasia -- Dual-energy CT -- Iodine concentration -- Effective atomic number -- Virtual monochromatic images; Medical radiology -- Periodicals; Radiology -- Periodicals; Radiologie médicale -- Périodiques; Medical radiology; Periodicals; 616.075705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2020.108824
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0720-048X

Abstract

Highlights: DECT could be served as a valuable tool for the differential diagnosis. DECT-derived multiple quantitative parameters could differentiate stage T1 NPC from LH. 70 keV had the greatest ability for the differential diagnosis in all the single parameter. Combined DECT parameters significantly improve the diagnostic capability. Abstract: Purpose: To explore the value of dual-energy CT for the differentiation between stage T1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPCT1 ) and lymphoid hyperplasia (LH). Method: Patients with histopathological proven nasopharyngeal lesions (stage T1 NPCs, n = 30; LHs, n = 47) who underwent dual-energy CT were enrolled in this retrospective study. Quantitative parameters derived from dual-energy CT were measured. Statistical analyses were performed using the independent sample t -test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. Results: There was significantly higher iodine concentration (IC), normalized iodine concentration (NIC, to internal jugular vein) in NPCT1 compared with LH ( p < 0.001). The effective atomic number (Zeff ) was significantly higher in NPCT1 than that in LH ( p < 0.001). The virtual monochromatic images (VMIs) at 50 keV–110 keV (20 keV-interval) of NPCT1 were all significantly higher than those of LH (all p <0.001). The slope (k) value of spectral attenuation curve was also significantly higher in NPCT1 than LH ( p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in virtual noncontrast (VNC) and 130 keV–190 keV (20 keV-interval) between the NPCT1 and LH. For discriminating NPCT1 from LH, the area under curve (AUC) using 70 keV was the highest in all single parameter (AUC, 0.92; sensitivity, 80.00 %; specificity, 91.49 %). Combined multiple parameters (IC, NIC, Zeff, 50 keV, 70 keV, 90 keV, slope (k)) by performing multivariate logistic regression model significantly improve the diagnostic capability in differentiating these two entities, with AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.99, 93.33 %, 97.87 %, respectively. Conclusions: Dual-energy CT can be helpful for the differentiation between NPCT1 and LH lesions.