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Evaluation of different keV-settings in dual-energy CT angiography of the aorta using advanced image-based virtual monoenergetic imaging

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Abstract

To compare quantitative image quality in dual-energy CT angiography (DE-CTA) studies of the aorta using different virtual monoenergetic imaging (MEI) and advanced image-based virtual monoenergetic (MEI+) settings at varying kiloelectron volt (keV) levels. Fifty consecutive patients with clinically-indicated CT of the whole aorta to evaluate suspected aortic disease underwent DE-CTA on a third-generation dual-source CT scanner. Quantitative image quality indices were assessed. Contrast material, saline flush and flow rate were kept equal for optimum comparability. DE-CTA MEI and MEI+ series ranging from 40 to 100 keV (10-keV intervals) were reconstructed. Signal intensity, noise, signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of multiple aortic segments were evaluated. Comparisons between the different MEI and MEI+ datasets were performed. Three-hundred aortic segments total were evaluated. In the MEI+ series the 40, 50 and 100 keV MEI+ showed superior noise and CNR levels (+84, +58, +103 % on average; all p < 0.05) compared to MEI. However, signal intensity between MEI+ and MEI at nearly all aortic segments showed no significant difference (p > 0.1). MEI+ shows lower image noise compared to MEI, resulting in superior quantitative image quality, in particular at low keV levels (40 or 50 keV).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinic of the Goethe University, Haus 23C UG, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany

    Martin Beeres, Jesko Trommer, Claudia Frellesen, Nour-Eldin A. Nour-Eldin, Jan E. Scholtz, Thomas J. Vogl & Julian L. Wichmann

  2. Department of Biostatistics, Clinic of the Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany

    Eva Herrmann

  3. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Cairo University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt

    Nour-Eldin A. Nour-Eldin

Authors
  1. Martin Beeres
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  2. Jesko Trommer
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  3. Claudia Frellesen
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  4. Nour-Eldin A. Nour-Eldin
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  5. Jan E. Scholtz
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  6. Eva Herrmann
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  7. Thomas J. Vogl
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  8. Julian L. Wichmann
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Correspondence to Martin Beeres.

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Beeres, M., Trommer, J., Frellesen, C. et al. Evaluation of different keV-settings in dual-energy CT angiography of the aorta using advanced image-based virtual monoenergetic imaging. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 32, 137–144 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-015-0728-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-015-0728-5

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