Iodine removal in intravenous dual-energy CT-cholangiography: Is virtual non-enhanced imaging effective to replace true non-enhanced imaging?

Purpose

To evaluate whether virtual non-enhanced imaging (VNI) is effective to replace true non-enhanced imaging (TNI) applying iodine removal in intravenous dual-energy CT-cholangiography.

Materials and Methods

From April 2009 until February 2010, fifteen potential donors for living-related liver transplantation (mean age 37.6 ± 10.8 years) were included. Potential donors underwent a two-phase CT-examination of the liver. The first phase consisted of a single-energy non-enhanced CT-acquisition that provided TNI. After administration of hepatobiliary contrast agent, the second phase was performed as a dual-energy cholangiographic CT-acquisition. This provided VNI. Objective image quality (attenuation values [bile ducts and liver parenchyma] and contrast-to-noise ratio) and subjective overall image quality (1 – excellent; 5 – non diagnostic) were evaluated. Effective radiation dose was compared.

Results

For TNI and VNI, attenuation values for bile ducts were 16.8 ± 11.2 HU and 5.5 ± 17.0 HU (p < 0.05) and for liver parenchyma 55.3 ± 8.4 HU and 58.1 ± 10.6 HU (n.s.). For TNI and VNI, contrast-to-noise ratio was 2.6 ± 0.6 HU and 6.9 ± 2.1 HU (p < 0.001). For VNI, subjective overall image quality was 1 in ten datasets, 2 in four datasets and 3 in one dataset. Effective radiation dose for the dual-energy cholangiographic CT-acquisition was 3.6 ± 0.9mSv and for two-phase single-energy CT-cholangiography 5.1 ± 1.3mSv (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In this study on iodine removal in intravenous dual-energy CT-cholangiography, subjective image quality is equivalent, contrast-to-noise ratio is improved and effective radiation dose is reduced when VNI is performed. The differences between TNI and VNI with respect to attenuation values seem to have limited clinical relevance and therefore we consider VNI as effective to replace TNI.     

Estimation and comparison of effective dose (E) in standard chest CT by organ dose measurements and dose-length-product methods and assessment of the influence of CT tube potential (energy dependency) on effective dose in a dual-source CT

Purpose

To determine effective dose (E) during standard chest CT using an organ dose-based and a dose-length-product-based (DLP) approach for four different scan protocols including high-pitch and dual-energy in a dual-source CT scanner of the second generation.

Materials and methods

Organ doses were measured with thermo luminescence dosimeters (TLD) in an anthropomorphic male adult phantom. Further, DLP-based dose estimates were performed by using the standard 0.014 mSv/mGycm conversion coefficient k. Examinations were performed on a dual-source CT system (Somatom Definition Flash, Siemens). Four scan protocols were investigated: (1) single-source 120 kV, (2) single-source 100 kV, (3) high-pitch 120 kV, and (4) dual-energy with 100/Sn140 kV with equivalent CTDIvol and no automated tube current modulation. E was then determined following recommendations of ICRP publication 103 and 60 and specific k values were derived.

Results

DLP-based estimates differed by 4.5–16.56% and 5.2–15.8% relatively to ICRP 60 and 103, respectively. The derived k factors calculated from TLD measurements were 0.0148, 0.015, 0.0166, and 0.0148 for protocol 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Effective dose estimations by ICRP 103 and 60 for single-energy and dual-energy protocols show a difference of less than 0.04 mSv.

Conclusion

Estimates of E based on DLP work equally well for single-energy, high-pitch and dual-energy CT examinations. The tube potential definitely affects effective dose in a substantial way. Effective dose estimations by ICRP 103 and 60 for both single-energy and dual-energy examinations differ not more than 0.04 mSv.     

Incidental adrenal lesions detected on enhanced abdominal dual-energy CT: Can the diagnostic workup be shortened by the implementation of virtual unenhanced images?

Objective

To determine whether post-processing of the data from portal-phase enhanced dual-energy CT (DECT), with or without the addition of a late enhanced phase acquisition, may enable characterization of adrenal lesions without the need for acquisition of pre-contrast images.

Materials and methods

Twenty-two patients with 24 adrenal lesions underwent unenhanced, venous and delayed phase DECT. Of these lesions, 20 were found to be adrenal adenomas, on the basis of histopathology, unenhanced attenuation values between 0 and −10 HU, or stability over at least 6 months.For all 24 lesions, true and virtual unenhanced attenuation values were measured based on the data of the portal (VNCp) and the delayed (VNCd) DECT acquisition. The absolute washout values based on the true non-contrast (TNC) and the VNCp and VNCd image series were also measured. The washout was also calculated based on the iodine concentration measured from both contrast-enhanced acquisitions.

Results

Mean virtual unenhanced attenuation values of all lesions calculated from the portal phase images was 12.6 HU, and was 4.02 HU higher than the values based on true unenhanced images (p = 0.020). Washout values calculated from virtual unenhanced attenuation based on the VNCp were also significantly different (p = 0.0304) while those calculated from VNCd and from iodine concentration correlated with the corresponding values based on the true unenhanced values (p > 0.999).

Conclusions

Our data indicate that attenuation values of adrenal adenomas based on virtual unenhanced images are significantly higher than those obtained with true unenhanced images. An incidental adrenal lesion with a virtual unenhanced attenuation lower than 10 HU can thus be safely characterized as an adenoma.     

Lymphomas and glioblastomas: differences in the apparent diffusion coefficient evaluated with high b-value diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging at 3T

Background and purpose

As the usefulness of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) obtained from diffusion-weighted images (DWI) for the differential diagnosis between glioblastoma and primary central nervous system lymphoma is controversial, we assessed whether high b-value DWI at b 4000 s/mm² could discriminate between glioblastoma and lymphoma. We also compared the power of high- and standard b-value (b-4000, b-1000) imaging on a 3-Tesla (3 T) magnetic resonance (MR) instrument.

Materials and methods

This study was approved by our Institutional Review Board. We acquired DWI at 3 T with b = 1000 and b = 4000 s/mm² in 10 patients with lymphoma and 14 patients with glioblastoma. The ADC was measured by placing multiple regions of interest (ROI) on ADC maps of the site of enhanced lesions on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MR images. We avoided hemorrhagic and cystic lesions by using T1-, T2-, FLAIR-, and T2* MR images. The ADC values of each tumor were determined preoperatively from several ROI and expressed as the minimum-, mean-, and maximum ADC value (ADC_MIN, ADC_MEAN, ADC_MAX). We evaluated the relationship between ADCs and histological information including tumor cellularity.

Results

All ADC values were statistically associated with tumor cellularity. ADC_MIN at b-4000 was associated with tumor cellularity more significantly than ADC_MIN at b-1000. All ADC values were lower for lymphoma than glioblastoma and the statistical difference was larger at b = 4000- than b = 1000 s/mm². According to the results of discriminant analysis, the log likelihood was greatest for ADC_MIN at b = 4000. At a cut-off value of ADC_MIN = 0.500 × 10⁻³ mm²/s at b-4000 it was possible to differentiate between lymphoma and glioblastoma (sensitivity 90.9%, specificity 91.7%).

Conclusions

Calculating the ADC value is useful for distinguishing lymphoma from glioblastoma. The lowest degree of overlapping and a better inverse correspondence with tumor cellularity were obtained with ADC_MIN at b-4000 s/mm² at 3 T MRI.     

Relationships of clinical protocols and reconstruction kernels with image quality and radiation dose in a 128-slice CT scanner: study with an anthropomorphic and water phantom

Purpose

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship of scanning parameters (clinical protocols), reconstruction kernels and slice thickness with image quality and radiation dose in a DSCT.

Materials and methods

The chest of an anthropomorphic phantom was scanned on a DSCT scanner (Siemens Somatom Definition flash) using different clinical protocols, including single- and dual-energy modes. Four scan protocols were investigated: 1) single-source 120 kV, 110 mA s, 2) single-source 100 kV, 180 mA s, 3) high-pitch 120 kV, 130 mA s and 4) dual-energy with 100/Sn140 kV, eff.mA s 89, 76. The automatic exposure control was switched off for all the scans and the CTDIvol selected was in between 7.12 and 7.37 mGy. The raw data were reconstructed using the reconstruction kernels B31f, B80f and B70f, and slice thicknesses were 1.0 mm and 5.0 mm. Finally, the same parameters and procedures were used for the scanning of water phantom. Friedman test and Wilcoxon-Matched-Pair test were used for statistical analysis.

Results

The DLP based on the given CTDIvol values showed significantly lower exposure for protocol 4, when compared to protocol 1 (percent difference 5.18%), protocol 2 (percent diff. 4.51%), and protocol 3 (percent diff. 8.81%). The highest change in Hounsfield Units was observed with dual-energy Sn140-kV (Hounsfield unit 15.18) compared to protocol 2 (24.35 HU). The differences in noise between the different clinical protocol data sets were statistically significant [protocol 3 vs. dual-energy 100-kV (p < 0.01) and protocol 3 vs. dual-energy Sn140-kV (p < 0.01)]. The dual-energy Sn140-kV protocol shows the highest image noise (14.5 HU for 5.0 mm slice (B31f) and 162 HU for 1.0 mm slice (B70f) thickness). The difference between reconstruction kernel B31f and B80f images made using 5.0 mm reconstruction thickness was statistically significant (p < 0.0312) and 1.0 mm slice thickness shows the significance of p < 0.0312 between B31f and B70f reconstructions. In both cases, the lowest image noise was obtained from B31f reconstructed images. Again the slice thickness significantly affects image noise (p < 0.03) and the noise was higher at 1.0 mm compared to that at 5.0 mm slice thickness.

Conclusion

The clinical protocol, reconstruction kernel, slice thickness and phantom diameter or the density of material it contains directly affects the image quality. Dual energy protocol shows the lowest dose-length-product compared to all other protocols examined, the fused image shows excellent image quality and the noise is same as that of single or high-pitch mode protocol images. Advanced CT technology improves image quality and considerably reduces radiation dose.     

能谱CT虚拟平扫替代常规平扫评估甲状腺结节的可行性研究

目的探讨能谱CT碘抑制(MSI)成像作为虚拟平扫(VNC)替代真实平扫(TNC)对甲状腺结节进行评估的可行性。方法回顾性分析2014年2月—10月于我院行常规平扫、能谱成像模式增强扫描的72例甲状腺疾病病人影像资料,采用配对t检验和Wilcoxon符号秩和检验比较TNC与VNC影像上不同组织CT值、客观影像质量、主观影像质量评分、诊断钙化能力及辐射剂量的差异。结果 1在TNC和VNC两种影像上,甲状腺结节病灶、正常甲状腺、颈内动脉的CT值差异均有统计学意义(P0.05),但除正常甲状腺腺体外,其他部位CT值差异均不大(4 HU)。两种影像项部脂肪CT值的差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。VNC影像噪声高于TNC影像,信噪比(SNR)及对比噪声比(CNR)均低于TNC影像(P0.05)。2TNC与VNC主观影像质量评分中位数均为4.0分,VNC的主观评分略低于TNC,两者评分差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。3TNC检出钙化24例,VNC检出22例。TNC与VNC对钙化检出数目的差异无统计学意义(P0.05);TNC测得的钙化长径值较VNC大(P0.05)。4单独能谱增强扫描的剂量长度乘积(DLP)和有效辐射剂量(ED)值明显小于TNC加增强扫描(P0.05),与常规平扫加增强扫描比较,单独能谱增强扫描的有效辐射剂量可降低48.76%。结论在甲状腺CT扫描中,VNC成像对甲状腺结节的诊断具有替代TNC成像的潜在能力。     

Dual-energy CT in assessing therapeutic response to radiofrequency ablation of renal cell carcinomas

Purpose

To investigate the utility of dual-energy (DE) CT using virtual noncontrast (VNC) and iodine overlay (IO) images to assess therapeutic response to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for renal cell carcinomas (RCCs).

Materials and methods

In this institutional review board-approved study (with waiver of informed consent), 47 patients with RCCs that underwent DECT after RFA were enrolled in this study. DECT protocols included true noncontrast (TNC), linearly blended DE corticomedullary and late nephrographic phase imaging. Two types of VNC and IO images were derived from corticomedullary and late nephrographic phases, respectively. To predict local tumor progression at RFA site, linearly blended and IO images were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) of renal cortex-to-RFA zones were calculated. The overall imaging quality of VNC images was compared with TNC images.

Results

The IO images from corticomedullary and late nephrographic phases showed excellent diagnostic performance (each sensitivity 100% and each specificity 91.5%) for predicting local tumor progression. The degree of enhancement of local tumor progression was not significantly different between linearly blended and IO images (P > 0.05). The mean CT numbers were not significantly different between TNC and VNC images (P > 0.05). In renal cortex-to-RFA site, CNR between linearly blended and IO images was not significantly different (P > 0.05). The VNC imaging quality from the two phases was given a good rating.

Conclusion

VNC and IO images from DECT may allow acceptable diagnostic performance with less radiation exposure as a follow-up imaging tool after RFA for RCC, compared to the linearly blended CT images.     

双源能谱CT虚拟平扫替代常规平扫评估食管癌的可行性研究

目的探讨双源能谱CT虚拟平扫(VNC)替代常规平扫(TNC)评估食管癌的可行性。方法回顾性收集经胃镜或手术病理证实的食管癌病人46例,所有病人均行TNC及双能量动、静脉双期增强扫描,经双能后处理软件获得动脉期VNC影像。由2名观察者分析TNC和VNC影像上病灶形态学特征(管壁是否增厚、肿瘤与周围组织关系、淋巴结肿大等),并对影像质量进行评分;2组间比较采用卡方检验或Wilcoxon秩和检验,观察者间一致性采用Kappa检验分析。采用配对t检验比较TNC与VNC影像的辐射剂量及其他定量评价参数。结果TNC和VNC影像上显示病灶形态学特征差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。2名观察者对TNC和VNC影像质量主观评分的一致性均较好(均κ>0.75),且对2种影像的主观评分的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。2种影像上测得的食管癌病灶处管壁厚度的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),VNC影像上降主动脉、皮下脂肪CT值高于TNC(P<0.05),但食管癌病灶、椎体后肌肉和空气的CT值差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。与TNC相比,VNC影像具有较高的SNR和较低的噪声(均P<0.05)。双能量动、静脉期扫描有效辐射剂量小于常规三期扫描(P<0.05),其有效辐射剂量降低了(3.46±0.87)mSv。结论双源能谱CT可为食管癌病人提供与TNC影像质量相似的VNC影像,并降低了辐射剂量。     

Measurement of vascular wall attenuation: Comparison of CT angiography using model-based iterative reconstruction with standard filtered back-projection algorithm CT in vitro

Objectives

To compare the performance of model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) with that of standard filtered back projection (FBP) for measuring vascular wall attenuation.

Study design

After subjecting 9 vascular models (actual attenuation value of wall, 89 HU) with wall thickness of 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mm that we filled with contrast material of 275, 396, or 542 HU to scanning using 64-detector computed tomography (CT), we reconstructed images using MBIR and FBP (Bone, Detail kernels) and measured wall attenuation at the center of the wall for each model. We performed attenuation measurements for each model and additional supportive measurements by a differentiation curve. We analyzed statistics using analyzes of variance with repeated measures.

Results

Using the Bone kernel, standard deviation of the measurement exceeded 30 HU in most conditions. In measurements at the wall center, the attenuation values obtained using MBIR were comparable to or significantly closer to the actual wall attenuation than those acquired using Detail kernel. Using differentiation curves, we could measure attenuation for models with walls of 1.0- or 1.5-mm thickness using MBIR but only those of 1.5-mm thickness using Detail kernel. We detected no significant differences among the attenuation values of the vascular walls of either thickness (MBIR, P = 0.1606) or among the 3 densities of intravascular contrast material (MBIR, P = 0.8185; Detail kernel, P = 0.0802).

Conclusions

Compared with FBP, MBIR reduces both reconstruction blur and image noise simultaneously, facilitates recognition of vascular wall boundaries, and can improve accuracy in measuring wall attenuation.     

Dual-energy CT of the brain: Comparison between DECT angiography-derived virtual unenhanced images and true unenhanced images in the detection of intracranial haemorrhage

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of virtual non-contrast (VNC) images in detecting intracranial haemorrhages (ICHs).

Methods

Sixty-seven consecutive patients with and 67 without ICH who underwent unenhanced brain CT and DECT angiography were included. Two radiologists independently evaluated VNC and true non-contrast (TNC) images for ICH presence and type. Inter-observer agreement for VNC and TNC image evaluation was calculated. Sensitivity and specificity of VNC images for ICH detection were calculated using Fisher’s exact test. VNC and TNC images were compared for ICH extent (qualitatively and quantitatively) and conspicuity assessment.

Results

On TNC images 116 different haemorrhages were detected in 67 patients. Inter-observer agreement ranged from 0.98–1.00 for TNC images and from 0.86–1.00 for VNC images. VNC sensitivity ranged from 0.90–1, according to the different ICH types, and specificity from 0.97–1. Qualitatively, ICH extent was underestimated on VNC images in 11.9% of cases. Haemorrhage volume did not show statistically significant differences between VNC and TNC images. Mean haemorrhage conspicuity was significantly lower on VNC images than on TNC images for both readers (p?<?0.001).

Conclusion

VNC images are accurate for ICH detection. Haemorrhages are less conspicuous on VNC images and their extent may be underestimated.

Key points

? VNC images represent a reproducible tool for detecting ICH.? ICH can be identified on VNC images with high sensitivity and specificity.? Intracranial haemorrhages are less conspicuous on VNC images than on TNC images.? Intracranial haemorrhages extent may be underestimated on VNC images.

     

CT angiography of various superficial femoral artery stents: an in vitro phantom study

Purpose

To evaluate CT reconstruction parameters to improve stent lumen visualization in vitro.

Material and methods

12 latest superficial femoral artery (SFA) stents were placed in a vessel phantom (diameter 4.7 mm, intravascular attenuation 250 HU, extravascular density 50 HU). Stents were imaged with a 128-slice scanner (SOMATOM Definition Flash, Siemens, Germany) with standard parameters: 120 kV, 200 mAs, collimation 128 mm × 0.6 mm. Different reconstruction parameters were evaluated: B26f, B30f, B45f, B46f and B60f kernel; slice thickness of 0.6, 2.0 and 5.0 mm. To measure visualization characteristics, stent lumen diameter and intraluminal attenuation were assessed.

Results

Best stent lumen visualization could be obtained using the B46f kernel (p < 0.001). The visible stent lumen ranged from 66.4% to 83.3% with a mean diameter of 77.7 ± 4.6%. Nitinol stents showed a significant improved lumen visibility compared to the cobalt–chromium stent (p = 0.02). The most realistic lumen attenuation was achieved using the B46f kernel with a mean attenuation of 259.3 ± 8.9 HU. The visible lumen diameter in protocols with 5 mm slice thickness was significantly lower (70.0 ± 4.9%) compared to thinner slices (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

CTA of SFA stents should be reconstructed with a slice thickness of 2.0 mm and a B46f kernel to achieve best image quality and to become more sensitive to exclude instent restenosis.     

Triple-rule-out dual-source CT angiography of patients with acute chest pain: Dose reduction potential of 100kV scanning

Purpose

To investigate the dose reduction potential of low kV triple-rule-out dual-source CT angiography (TRO-CTA) in non-obese (BMI ≤ 25 kg/m²) patients with acute chest pain.

Materials and methods

Sixty consecutive patients were randomly assigned to two different retrospectively ECG-gated TRO-CTA protocols in this prospective trial: Thirty patients were examined with a 120-kV standard protocol (320 reference mAs with automatic tube current modulation, automatically adapted pitch and ECG-pulsing) and served as the control group (group 1), an otherwise identical 100 kV protocol was used in the other thirty patients (group 2) for a radiation dose reduction. Subjective image quality was assessed on a 5 point scale (1: excellent, 5: non-diagnostic) by two blinded observers. Quantitative image analysis assessed vascular attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in different vascular segments. The effective dose was calculated from the dose length product (DLP) using a conversion coefficient of 0.017 mSv mGy⁻¹ cm⁻¹.

Results

There was no significant difference of age, BMI, heart rate, pitch or scan length between both patient groups. Subjective image quality was rated similar in both groups (group 1: 1.2 ± 0.4, group 2: average score = 1.3 ± 0.5). Vessel attenuation was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 (ascending aorta: 456 ± 83 HU vs. 370 ± 78 HU, p < 0.001; pulmonary artery: 468 ± 118 HU vs. 411 ± 91 HU, p = 0.03; left coronary artery: 437 ± 110 HU vs. 348 ± 89 HU, p < 0.001), however, there was no significant difference in SNR (13.2 ± 7.6 vs. 14.5 ± 7.5, p = 0.49) or CNR (13.8 ± 6.6 vs. 15.9 ± 7.7, p = 0.25). The effective radiation dose of the 100 kV protocol was significantly lower (9.6 ± 3.2 mSv vs. 18.1 ± 9.4 mSv, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

TRO-CTA with 100 kV is feasible in non-obese patients and results in diagnostic image quality and significantly reduced radiation dose.     

Regional nodal staging with 18F-FDG PET-CT in non-small cell lung cancer: Additional diagnostic value of CT attenuation and dual-time-point imaging

Background

[Fluorine-18]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET–CT) is widely performed in the regional nodal staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the uptake of ¹⁸F-FDG by tubercular granulomatous tissues may lead to false-positive diagnosis. This is of special concern in China, where tubercular granulomatous disease is epidemic. Herein, we evaluated the efficacy of an additional CT attenuation and a dual-time-point scan in determining the status of lymph nodes.

Methods

Eighty NSCLC patients underwent curative surgical resection after ¹⁸F-FDG PET–CT and separate breath-hold CT examinations. The initial images were analyzed by two methods. In method 1, nodal status was determined by ¹⁸F-FDG uptake only. In Method 2, nodal status was determined by ¹⁸F-FDG uptake associated with CT attenuation. For dual-time-point imaging, the retention index (RI) of benign and malignant nodal groups with positive uptake in the initial scan was examined.

Results

A total of 265 nodal groups were documented. On a per-nodal-group basis, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of Method 1 were 66.7%, 89.7%, and 85.3%, respectively, whereas those of Method 2 were 64.7%, 96.7%, and 90.6%, respectively. The improvement in diagnostic specificity and accuracy associated with the addition of CT attenuation in Method 2 as compared to Method 1 was statistically significant (p < 0.01). Thirty-nine nodal groups with positive uptake in the initial scan underwent dual-time-point imaging and the difference in the RI between benign and malignant groups showed no statistical significance (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

¹⁸F-FDG PET–CT has high diagnostic value for preoperative lymph-node (N) staging of NSCLC patients. We show that ¹⁸F-FDG uptake combined with CT attenuation improves the diagnostic specificity and accuracy of nodal diagnosis in NSCLC. For the lymph nodes with positive uptake in the initial scan, dual-time-point imaging has limited effect in differentiation.     

Side-by-side evaluation of virtual non-contrast and post-contrast images improves detection of clinically significant urolithiasis on single-phase split bolus dual-energy CT urography

Objectives:Studies show insufficient sensitivity of virtual non-contrast (VNC) reconstructions for stone detection in dual-energy CT urography (DE-CTU). The aim of this study was to investigate if side-by-side-evaluation of both VNC and post-contrast images could increase the sensitivity of single-phase split bolus DE-CTU.Methods:Consecutive patients with haematuria who underwent split bolus DE-CTU on the same dual-source DE-CT scanner were retrospectively enrolled in the study. Intravenous furosemide and oral hydration were employed. Two readers, independently and then jointly in two separate sessions, recorded the location and the longest axial stone diameter on three randomised sets of images: separate VNC and post-contrast images, and side-by-side-reconstructions. True non-contrast (TNC) images served as the standard of reference.Results:A total of 83 urinary stones were detected on TNC images. Independent reader side-by-side-evaluation of VNC and post-contrast images yielded higher stone detection sensitivity (76 and 84%, respectively) compared to evaluation of only VNC (71 and 81%, respectively) or post-contrast images (64 and 80%, respectively). The sensitivity of joint reader evaluation of side-by-side-images reached almost 86% and was not significantly different from TNC images (p = 0.77). All stones larger than 3 mm were correctly detected by side-by-side-evaluation. Dose reduction of 55% could be achieved by omitting TNC scans.Conclusion:Side-by-side-VNC and post-contrast image evaluation enable detection of clinically significant urolithiasis on single-phase split bolus DE-CTU with significant dose reduction.Advances in knowledge:This study shows that single-phase DE-CTU is feasible if VNC imaging is simultaneously utilised with post-contrast images.     

Dual-energy CT to detect recurrent HCC after TACE: Initial experience of color-coded iodine CT imaging

Objectives

To evaluate the feasibility of diagnosing recurrence of HCC after TACE color-coded iodine CT (CICT) based on arterial phase scans obtained by a dual-energy CT (DECT) scanner.

Methods

A CICT scan was acquired from an iodine map after applying material decomposition of the liver tissue and setting a threshold attenuation level for viable tumors. Two radiologists reviewed both conventional and CICT sets in 31 patients who had a history of TACE for HCC. The performances in detecting local tumor progression (LTP) were evaluated by alternative free-response receiver operating characteristics. The rate of uncertain diagnosis and interobserver agreement of the diagnosis were explored. Additionally, the reading time and radiation dose were also investigated.

Results

The mean figures of merit of the conventional and CICT sets for LTP were 0.818 and 0.847, respectively (p = 0.459). The rate of uncertain diagnosis was significantly decreased in CICT sets (34.5% vs. 0%), and interobserver agreement was improved (k = 0.527 vs. 0.718). On the CICT set, mean reading time was reduced by 49 s and mean radiation dose was also decreased by 18.3% when replacing the non-contrast CT with CICT.

Conclusions

CICT is comparable to conventional liver CT protocol in demonstrating viable HCCs, while it allows a reduction in radiation dose.     

The low attenuation area on dual-energy perfusion CT: correlation with the pulmonary function tests and quantitative CT measurements

Purpose

To retrospectively investigate the distribution of the low attenuation area (LAA) on dual energy perfusion CT (DEpCT) in comparison with the results of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and quantitative CT measurements.

Materials and methods

Twenty-eight patients (15 male and 13 female; mean age: 62.21 years) underwent DEpCT and PFTs within a 1-month interval. The ranges of the LAA on DEpCT were classified into six groups with attenuation values of 0–3, 0–5, 0–8, 0–10, 0–13 and 0–15 HU and the ratios of LAA in each group were compared with the percentage of forced expiratory volume in the 1st second (%FEV_1.0), FEV_1.0/forced vital capacity (FEV_1.0/FVC) and the relative area of the lung with attenuation coefficients lower than −950 HU (RA₋₉₅₀).

Results

The LAAs on the DEpCT images were significantly correlated with the RA₋₉₅₀, %FEV_1.0 and FEV_1.0/FVC, and the regression analysis showed that the best values of LAA on DEpCT were 0–10 HU with RA₋₉₅₀ (r = 0.63), 0–8 HU with %FEV_1.0 (r = −0.52) and 0–8 HU with FEV_1.0/FVC (r = −0.61) per patient.

Conclusion

The iodine disturbance on DEpCT had a moderate correlation with the results of the PFTs and RA₋₉₅₀, but further examination would be needed for evaluation of iodine distribution.     

Optimal dose of contrast medium for depiction of hypervascular HCC on dynamic MDCT

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to prospectively investigate the optimal dose of contrast medium for the depiction of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during the hepatic arterial phase (HAP), portal venous phase (PVP) and delayed phase (DP) of dynamic MDCT.

Materials and methods

The study included 128 patients, out of these patients, 36 patients were found to have 56 hypervascular HCCs. Sixty-three patients were assigned to receive a dose of 525 mgI/kg with protocol A, and 62 received a dose of 630 mgI/kg with protocol B. Measurements of the attenuation values of the abdominal aorta, portal vein, hepatic vein, hepatic parenchyma and HCC during the HAP, PVP and DP were taken. Tumor-liver contrast (TLC) was calculated from the attenuation value of the hepatic parenchyma and HCC.

Results

The aortic attenuation value with protocol B (351, 166, and 132 HU) was significantly higher than that with protocol A (313, 153, and 120 HU) during all the phases, (P < 0.01 for all phases). The hepatic enhancement from unenhanced baseline with protocol B (25.2, 63.6, 50.6 HU) was significantly higher than that with protocol A (20.2, 55.1 and 43.0 HU) during all the phases, (P < 0.01 for all phases). The TLC with protocol B (37.4, −11.8 and −13.6 HU) was significantly higher than that with protocol A (28.0, −9.8 and −12.1 HU) during HAP (P = 0.042).

Conclusion

The administration of 630 mgI/kg of body weight depicts hypervascular HCC more clearly during HAP and shows sufficient hepatic enhancement of 50 HU during DP.     

High b-value diffusion-weighted MR imaging of normal brain at 3T

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to determine the normative apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values at 3 T using high b-value (3000 s/mm²) diffusion-weighted images (DWI) and compare the signal characteristics of the high b value with standard b-value (1000 s/mm²) DWI.

Methods

Institutional review board approval was obtained for this prospective study which included 20 volunteers (10 M, 10 F, mean age: 38.7 ± 14.9) without any known clinical disease or radiological findings. All brain examinations were performed with 3 T MR by using similar parameters of b1000 and b3000 DWI sequences. DWI and ADC maps were obtained. Signal intensity, noise, signal to noise ratio (SNR), contrast to noise (CNR), contrast ratio (CR), and ADC values of bilateral posterior limb of internal capsule, frontal white matter, parietal gray matter, pons, thalamus, splenium of corpus callosum were measured on b1000 and b3000 DW images.

Results

In all anatomic locations, MR signal intensity, SNR and ADC values of b3000 images were significantly lower than MR signal intensity, SNR and ADC values of b1000 images (p < 0.001). The CNR and CR values at the posterior limb of internal capsule and pons were significantly increased on b3000 images (p < 0.001) and decreased in the other regions measured.

Conclusion

The ADC values calculated from standard b-value DWI were significantly higher than those calculated from high b-value DWI. These results agree with the previous studies. In the regions where CNR values increase with high b value, b3000 DWI images may provide additional clinical information.     

Clinical usefulness of free-breathing navigator-triggered 3D MRCP in non-cooperative patients: comparison with conventional breath-hold 2D MRCP

Purpose

To assess the clinical usefulness of free-breathing 3D MRCP in non-cooperative patients compared conventional breath-hold 2D MRCP.

Materials and methods

We performed FB navigator-triggered 3D MRCP using prospective acquisition correction and BH 2D MRCP in 48 consecutive, non-cooperative patients among 772 patients. Thirteen patients had malignant obstruction. Two radiologists independently graded the likelihood of a malignant obstruction, the overall image quality, and the visibility of ten, individual anatomic segments of both the biliary and pancreatic duct in each sequence. The area under the ROC curve and the repeated measures analyses of variance with multiple comparisons were used for the comparison. The κ statistics were used for interobserver agreement.

Result

The diagnostic performance for detecting malignancy was significantly higher on FB MRCP (A_z = 0.962) than on either BH SS-RARE (A_z = 0.820, P < 0.0185) or MS-HASTE MRCP (A_z = 0.816, P < 0.0067). Interobserver agreement was excellent for FB MRCP (κ = 0.889) and fair for both BH SS-RARE (κ = 0.578) and MS-HASTE MRCP (κ = 0.49). FB MRCP had a significantly higher technical quality than BH MRCP (P < 0.001). FB MRCP was seen to have statistically better visibility of peripheral IHD, right main IHD, CHD, cystic duct, and CBD than BH MRCP (P < 0.001). FB MRCP and BH SS-RARE MRCP had statistically better visibility of both the left main IHD and pancreatic duct than did BH MS-HASTE MRCP (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

FB 3D MRCP is useful for non-cooperative patients in whom conventional BH 2D methods cannot be used successfully.     

Assessment of colorectal hepatic metastases by quantitative T2 relaxation time

Aim

To determine the T₂ relaxation time of colorectal hepatic metastases and changes in T₂ relaxation times following chemotherapy.

Materials and methods

42 patients with 96 hepatic colorectal metastases underwent baseline MRI. Axial T₁, T₂ and multi-echo GRASE sequences were acquired. ROIs were drawn on T₂ relaxation maps, obtained from GRASE images, encompassing metastasis and normal liver to record T₂ relaxation time values. In 11 patients with 28 metastases, MRI was repeated using same protocol at 6 weeks following chemotherapy. The median pre-treatment T₂ values of metastases and normal liver were compared using the Mann–Whitney test. The pre- and post-treatment median T₂ values of metastases were compared using the Wilcoxon–Rank test for responding (n = 16) and non-responding (n = 12) lesions defined by RECIST criteria. The change in T₂ values (ΔT₂) were compared and correlated with percentage change in lesion size.

Results

There was no difference in the pre-treatment median T₂ of metastases between responding (67.3 ± 8.6) and non-responding metastases (71.4 ± 16.5). At the end of chemotherapy, there was a decrease in the median T₂ of responding lesions (61.6 ± 12.6) p = 0.83, and increase in non-responding lesions (76.2 ± 18.4) p = 0.03, but these were not significantly different from the pre-treatment values. There was no significant difference in ΔT₂ of responding and non-responding lesions (p = 0.18) and no correlation was seen between size change and ΔT₂ (coefficient = 0.3).

Conclusion

T₂ relaxation time does not appear to predict response of colorectal liver metastasis to chemotherapy.