Iodine Quantification Using Dual-Energy Computed Tomography for Differentiating Thymic Tumors

Purpose The aim of the study was to explore the efficacy of iodine quantification with dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in differentiating thymoma, thymic carcinoma, and thymic lymphoma. Materials and Methods Fifty-seven patients with pathologically confirmed low-risk thymoma (n = 16), high-risk thymoma (n = 15), thymic carcinoma (n = 14), and thymic lymphoma (n = 12) underwent chest contrast-enhanced DECT scan were enrolled in this study. Tumor DECT parameters including iodine-related Hounsfield unit (IHU), iodine concentration (IC), mixed HU (MHU), and iodine ratio in dual phase, slope of energy spectral HU curve (λ), and virtual noncontrast (VNC) were compared for differences among 4 groups by one-way analysis of variance. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the efficacy for differentiating the low-risk thymoma from other thymic tumor by defined parameters. Results According to quantitative analysis, dual-phase IHU, IC, and MHU values in patients with low-risk thymoma were significantly increased compared with patients with high-risk thymoma, thymic carcinoma, and thymic lymphoma (P
Source: Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography - Category: Radiology Tags: Pulmonary and Thoracic Applications of Dual Energy CT Source Type: research