“Dark-blood” dual-energy computed tomography angiography for thoracic aortic wall imaging

ConclusionsCompared with true non-contrast CT, dark-blood material decomposition maps enhance quantitative and qualitative image quality for the assessment of normal aortic wall and IMH.Key Points• Current dual-energy CT-angiography provides virtual non-contrast and bright-blood images.• Dark-blood images represent a new way to assess the vascular wall structure with dual-energy CT and can improve the lumen-to-wall contrast compared with true non-contrast CT.• This dual-energy CT material decomposition method is likely to improve contrast resolution in other applications as well, taking advantage of the high spatial resolution of CT.
Source: European Radiology - Category: Radiology Source Type: research