Dual-Source Dual-Energy CT Portal Venous Phase Abdominal CT Scans in Large Body Habitus Patients: Preliminary Observations on Image Quality and Material Decomposition

Purpose
Our objective was to evaluate image quality (IQ) and material decomposition in patients with large body habitus undergoing portal venous phase abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans on dual-source dual-energy CT (dsDECT) scanners.
Methods
This retrospective analysis included 30 scans from consecutive patients (19 males/11 females, mean ± SD age = 55.3 ± 17.5 years, range = 27–87 years) with large body habitus (≥90 kg, mean ± SD weight = 105.4 ± 12.35, range = 91–145 kg) who underwent portal venous phase abdominal DECT examinations on dsDECT scanner between Jan 2015 and Dec 2015. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of IQ of DECT data sets (blended, iodine, and virtual noncontrast images) was performed. The patients were categorized into 2 groups (group A, ≤104 kg; group B,>104 kg).
Results
The mean ± SD patient body weight in group A was 97.2 ± 4.5 kg (range = 91–104 kg) and 114.8 ± 11.7 kg (range = 104.3–145.2 kg) for patients in group B. The diagnostic acceptability of the blended images in patients> 104 kg was lower (3.6 vs 4, 104 kg (18 vs 10, P = 0.03). Outside the DEFOV, blended images demonstrated higher image noise (mean: 14.48, range = 10.09–26.83 vs mean: 9.5, range = 7.3–15.8) P

Source: Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography - November 1, 2018 Category: Radiology Tags: Abdominal Applications of Dual Energy CT Source Type: research