Publication

Dose and image quality at CT pulmonary angiography-comparison of first and second generation dual-energy CT and 64-slice CT

Journal Paper/Review - May 27, 2011

Units
PubMed
Doi

Citation
Bauer R, Vogl T, Jacobi V, Lehnert T, Beeres M, Larson M, Schell B, Renker M, Kramer S, Kerl J. Dose and image quality at CT pulmonary angiography-comparison of first and second generation dual-energy CT and 64-slice CT. Eur Radiol 2011; 21:2139-47.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Eur Radiol 2011; 21
Publication Date
May 27, 2011
Issn Electronic
1432-1084
Pages
2139-47
Brief description/objective

OBJECTIVE
To compare dose and image quality of 64-slice, first and second generation dual-energy CT (DECT) for CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA).

METHODS
Totally 120 patients, 30 in each group, underwent CTPA on a first generation (group 1: single-energy, 120 kV/145 mAs; group 2: DE, 140/80 kV, 70/350 mAs) or second generation dual-source DECT device (group 3: DE, 100/Sn140 kV, 120/102 mAs; group 4: DE, 80/Sn140 kV, 202/86 mAs). CTDIvol, DLP, background noise (BN), thorax diameter and attenuation in the pulmonary trunk were compared.

RESULTS
Thorax diameter and attenuation in the pulmonary trunk did not differ significantly (p > 0.4 and >0.19) between the groups. Mean CTDIvol and DLP were significantly lower (p < 0.003) in group 4 (6.2 ± 1.6 mGy/170 ± 41 mGycm) compared to group 1 (8.5 ± 2.6 mGy/235 ± 117 mGycm), group 2 (9.2 ± 3.3 mGy/224 ± 122 mGycm) and group 3 (8.7 ± 2.8 mGy/246 ± 86 mGycm). BN was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) in group 4 (12 ± 3 HU) and group 1 (13 ± 6 HU) compared to group 3 and 2 (16 ± 6 HU and 23 ± 9).

CONCLUSION
The use of second generation DECT in 80/Sn140 kV configuration allows for significant dose reduction with image quality similar to 120 kV CTPA.