Dual-Source Dual-Energy CT Evaluation of Complex Cystic Renal Masses

作者：Ascenti Giorgio; Mazziotti Silvio^*; Mileto Achille; Racchiusa Sergio; Donato Rocco; Settineri Nicola; Gaeta Michele

来源：American Journal of Roentgenology, 2012, 199(5): 1026-1034.

DOI：10.2214/AJR.11.7711

• color-coded iodine overlay images
• complex cystic renal masses
• dual-source dual-energy CT
• radiation dose
• virtual nonenhanced images

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to assess the value of dual-source dual-energy CT in the evaluation of complex cystic renal masses. %26lt;br%26gt;SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Seventy patients underwent contrast-enhanced dual-energy CT that included true unenhanced images acquired in single-energy mode, corticomedullary phase images acquired in dual-energy mode, and nephrographic phase images acquired in single-energy mode. Virtual unenhanced, blended weighted-average, and color-coded iodine overlay images were reconstructed. The acceptance level and image quality of virtual and true unenhanced images were evaluated. Contrast enhancement on both true unenhanced or blended weighted-average images and color-coded iodine overlay images was evaluated with both calculation in regions of interest and use of confidence level scales. Radiation dose parameters were estimated. %26lt;br%26gt;RESULTS. Virtual unenhanced images of 70 lesions (97.2%) and true unenhanced images of 72 lesions (100%) were judged acceptable (p = 0.5). The mean quality score of virtual unenhanced images was 2.0 +/- 0.7 and of true unenhanced images was 1.5 +/- 0.5 (p %26lt; 0.001). Mean contrast enhancement measured on true unenhanced and blended weighted-average images was 45.9 +/- 15.9 HU (range, 21-78 HU) and on color-coded iodine overlay images was 47.3 +/- 16.8 HU (range, 22-75 HU) with no significant differences. Enhancement was excluded on color-coded iodine overlay images with a significantly (p %26lt; 0.03) higher level of confidence than it was on true unenhanced and blended weighted-average images. The mean dose reduction with use of a combined dual-and single-energy dual-phase CT protocol was 29.1% +/- 11.9% (p %26lt; 0.001). %26lt;br%26gt;CONCLUSION. Dual-source dual-energy CT is a reliable imaging technique in the evaluation of complex cystic renal masses. True unenhanced images can be replaced by virtual unenhanced images with considerable radiation dose reduction. The color-coded iodine overlay technique is a useful tool for both excluding and identifying endocystic enhancement.

• 出版日期2012-11