Visibility of bronchial arteries using virtual and advanced virtual monoenergetic imaging. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nomura, Takakiyo; Niwa, Tetsu; Ozawa, Soji; Imai, Yutaka; Hashimoto, Jun
• Is Part Of: Acta radiologica. Volume 61:Number 12(2020)
• Page Start: 1618
• Page End: 1627
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Dual-energy computed tomography -- virtual monoenergetic imaging -- advanced virtual monoenergetic imaging -- bronchial artery; Radiology, Medical -- Periodicals; Radiography, Medical -- Periodicals; Radiotherapy -- Periodicals; 616.0757
• DOI: 10.1177/0284185120923992
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0284-1851

Abstract

Background: The utility of virtual monoenergetic imaging (VMI) for fine arteries has not been well clarified. Purpose: To assess bronchial artery visualization using VMI and noise-optimized advanced VMI (VMI+). Material and Methods: Eighty-seven patients with esophageal cancer underwent computed tomography (CT) using a third-generation dual-source system before surgery. Tube voltages were set to 90 kVp and 150 kVp, respectively. Images were reconstructed using VMI and VMI+ with energy levels of 40–120 keV (in 10-keV increments); composite images equivalent to CT images at 105 kVp were also generated. The CT attenuation value and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of bronchial arteries using VMI and VMI+ were compared with those obtained using composite imaging. Two radiologists subjectively analyzed bronchial artery visualization with reference to the composite image. Results: CT attenuation values for bronchial arteries using VMI at 40–60 keV and VMI+ at 40 keV and 50 keV were significantly higher than those obtained using composite imaging ( P < 0.05). CNR using VMI at 40–60 keV was significantly higher than that obtained using composite imaging ( P < 0.05), whereas no differences were noted for values obtained using composite imaging between VMI+ at 40 keV and 50 keV. In the subjective analysis, VMI at 40 keV and 50 keV yielded significantly better visibility of bronchial arteries than VMI+ ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: VMI and VMI+ at low voltages (40–50 keV) may be useful for bronchial artery visualization. VMI+ may be less effective for fine vessels as bronchial artery visualization.