Low contrast volume dual-energy CT of the chest: Quantitative and qualitative assessment.
Clin Imaging
; 69: 305-310, 2021 Jan.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33045474
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
To evaluate the image quality of chest CT performed on dual-energy scanners using low contrast volume for routine chest (DECT-R) and pulmonary angiography (DECTPA) protocols. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
This retrospective study included dual-energy CT scans of chest performed with low contrast volume in 84 adults (34M50F; Age 69 ± 16 years Weight 71 ± 16kg). There were 42 patients with DECT-R and 42 patients with DECT-PA protocols. Images were reviewed by two thoracic radiologists. Qualitative assessment was done on a four-point scale, for subjective assessment of contrast enhancement and artifacts (1 = Excellent, 2 = optimal, 3 = suboptimal, and 4 = Limited) in the pulmonary arteries and thoracic aorta, on virtual monoenergetic and material decomposition iodine (MDI) images. Quantitative assessment was performed by measuring the CT (Hounsfield) units in aorta and pulmonary arteries. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated before and after CT scans. Two tailed student's t-test was performed to assess the significance of findings, and strength of correlation between readers was determined by Cohen's kappa test.RESULTS:
DECT-PA and DECT-R demonstrated excellent/adequate contrast density within the pulmonary arteries (up to segmental branch), and aorta. There was no suboptimal or limited examination. There was strong interobserver agreement for arterial enhancement in pulmonary arteries (kappa = 0.62-0.89) and for thoracic aorta (kappa = 0.62-0.94). Pulmonary emboli were seen in 3/42(7%) in DECT-R and in 5/42(12%) in DECT-PA. There was no significant change in eGFR before and after IV contrast injection (p = 0.46-0.52).CONCLUSION:
DECT-R and DECT-PA performed with low contrast volume provide diagnostic quality opacification of the pulmonary vessels and aorta vessels.Key words
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Radiography, Dual-Energy Scanned Projection
Type of study:
Guideline
/
Observational_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
Language:
En
Year:
2021
Type:
Article