Utilisation of virtual non-contrast images and virtual mono-energetic images acquired from dual-layer spectral CT for renal cell carcinoma: image quality and radiation dose

Zhang, Xiaoxiao; Zhang, Gumuyang; Xu, Lili; Bai, Xin; Lü, Xiaomei; Yu, Shenghui; Sun, Hansong; Jin, Zhengyu

doi:10.1186/s13244-021-01146-8

Cited by 25 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Moreover, in this study, the proportion of patients with a difference of more than 10 HU between the TNC and three types of VNC image was very low, indicating a negligible difference between the VNC and TNC images. Further, we also found that the image quality was good for both VNC and TNC images, showing that the VNC technology has little impact on image quality ( 30 ). We therefore recommend the use of VNC imaging as a good substitute for TNC imaging in clinical practice, as VNC technology ensures accurate and high-quality images.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Abdominal virtual non-contrast images derived from energy spectrum CT to evaluate chemotherapy-related fatty liver disease

Jing¹,

Sun²,

Xi³

et al. 2023

Quant Imaging Med Surg

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Background: Chemotherapy-related fatty liver disease (CRFLD) is an important evaluation in patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) for cancer follow-up. This study set out to explore the feasibility of using abdominal virtual non-contrast (VNC) images derived from energy spectrum CT to evaluate CRFLD and reduce the radiation dose.Methods: A total of 160 eligible consecutive patients who underwent energy spectrum CT at Lanzhou University Second Hospital between June 2020 and July 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. The average CT attenuation values of the liver and spleen and the liver-to-spleen ratio (LSR) were measured by two independent blinded radiologists on true non-contrast (TNC) images and three types of VNC image. The diagnostic performance of the LSR for CRFLD, image quality, and diagnostic confidence were compared between the two types of imaging. Results:The average CT attenuation values of the liver and spleen were significantly lower on VNC images than on TNC images (P<0.05), whereas the LSR showed good agreement between the two (P>0.05).The average CT attenuation values of the liver and the LSR measured on the TNC and three types of VNC image were significantly lower in patients with CRFLD than in those without CRFLD (P<0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) values of the LSR for the diagnosis of CRFLD calculated on TNC and three types of VNC image were 0.870 (95% CI: 0.808-0.918), 0.852 (95% CI: 0.787-0.903), 0.819 (95% CI: 0.750-0.875), and 0.851 (95% CI: 0.786-0.902), respectively. The DeLong test confirmed the consistency of TNC and VNC images of diagnostic efficacy (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in image quality or diagnostic confidence between the TNC and three types of VNC image (P>0.05). When VNC imaging was applied, the radiation dose was reduced by approximately 25.0%.Conclusions: VNC imaging could become a reliable alternative to TNC imaging for the clinical evaluation of patients with CRFLD and could reduce the radiation dose by up to 25%.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Abdominal virtual non-contrast images derived from energy spectrum CT to evaluate chemotherapy-related fatty liver disease

Jing¹,

Sun²,

Xi³

et al. 2023

Quant Imaging Med Surg

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“…Our results showed a strong potential of the new version of DLSR to reduce the amount of iodine injected to the patients when using the 60 keV energy level. Indeed, several studies reported low iodine concentrations (lower than 5 mg/mL) measured for abdominal lesions [13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. The detection of these lesions is challenging, requiring higher iodine concentrations and/or radiation doses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among these developments, dualenergy CT (DECT) is of interest to optimise the amount of iodine injected [8][9][10]. Indeed, this technique offers a capacity to enhance the contrast of lesions using specific images such as virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) [11][12][13][14] as compared to conventional CT images with single-energy (SECT). In addition, the use of iodine-specific images allows the radiologist to quantify the iodine concentration, which improves the characterisation of lesions in abdominal imaging [15][16][17][18][19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of image quality of two versions of deep-learning image reconstruction algorithm on a rapid kV-switching CT: a phantom study

et al. 2023

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Background To assess the impact of the new version of a deep learning (DL) spectral reconstruction on image quality of virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) for contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography in the rapid kV-switching platform. Methods Two phantoms were scanned with a rapid kV-switching CT using abdomen-pelvic CT examination parameters at dose of 12.6 mGy. Images were reconstructed using two versions of DL spectral reconstruction algorithms (DLSR V1 and V2) for three reconstruction levels. The noise power spectrum (NSP) and task-based transfer function at 50% (TTF50) were computed at 40/50/60/70 keV. A detectability index (d') was calculated for enhanced lesions at low iodine concentrations: 2, 1, and 0.5 mg/mL. Results The noise magnitude was significantly lower with DLSR V2 compared to DLSR V1 for energy levels between 40 and 60 keV by -36.5% ± 1.4% (mean ± standard deviation) for the standard level. The average NPS frequencies increased significantly with DLSR V2 by 23.7% ± 4.2% for the standard level. The highest difference in TTF50 was observed at the mild level with a significant increase of 61.7% ± 11.8% over 40−60 keV energy with DLSR V2. The d' values were significantly higher for DLSR V2 versus DLSR V1. Conclusions The DLSR V2 improves image quality and detectability of low iodine concentrations in VMIs compared to DLSR V1. This suggests a great potential of DLSR V2 to reduce iodined contrast doses.

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“…DECT-derived images [such as VMI, VNC images, material density (MD) images, and VNCa images] can characterize specific materials; reduce the use of contrast medium, radiation dose and artifacts; and allow numerous quantitations of tissue, thereby improving lesion detection and diagnostic confidence ( 31 , 32 ). Several previous studies have combined VNC and VMI to maintain high-quality images and simultaneously reduce the radiation dose in the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) ( 33 ) and in the depiction of abdominal vessels ( 22 ). Zhang et al ( 33 ) indicated that the application of VNC images and VMI to replace TNC and corticomedullary phase images could obtain comparable image quality while reducing the radiation dose by 50.5%.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several previous studies have combined VNC and VMI to maintain high-quality images and simultaneously reduce the radiation dose in the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) ( 33 ) and in the depiction of abdominal vessels ( 22 ). Zhang et al ( 33 ) indicated that the application of VNC images and VMI to replace TNC and corticomedullary phase images could obtain comparable image quality while reducing the radiation dose by 50.5%. Lennartz et al ( 22 ) found that VNC images and 40-keV VMI reconstructions generated from single venous-phase images could obtain comparable image quality for detecting the major abdominal vessels as compared to TNC and arterial phase CTA images.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving visualization of free fibula flap perforators and reducing radiation dose in dual-energy CT angiography

Wang¹,

Jiang²,

Lu³

et al. 2023

Quant Imaging Med Surg

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Background: The precise assessment of the perforators of the fibula free flap (FFF) is crucial for minimizing procedure-related complications when harvesting the FFF in patients with maxillofacial lesions.This study aims to investigate the utility of virtual noncontrast (VNC) images for radiation dose saving and to determine the optimal energy level of virtual monoenergetic imaging (VMI) reconstructions in dualenergy computed tomography (DECT) for visualization of the perforators of the fibula free flap (FFF).Methods: Data from 40 patients with maxillofacial lesions who received lower extremity DECT examinations in the noncontrast and arterial phase were collected in this retrospective, cross-sectional study. To compare VNC images from the arterial phase with true non-contrast images in a DECT protocol (M_0.5-TNC) and to compare VMI images with 0.5 linear images blending from the arterial phase (M_0.5-C), the attenuation, noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and subjective image quality were assessed in different arteries, muscles, and fat tissues. Two readers evaluated the image quality and visualization of the perforators. The dose-length product (DLP) and CT volume dose index (CTDIvol) were used to determine the radiation dose.Results: Objective and subjective analyses showed no significant difference between the M_0.5-TNC and VNC images in the arteries and muscles (P>0.09 to P>0.99), and VNC imaging could reduce 50% of the radiation dose (P<0.001). Compared with those of the M_0.5-C images, the attenuation and CNR of VMI reconstructions at 40 kiloelectron volt (keV) and 60 keV were higher (P<0.001 to P=0.04). Noise was similar at 60 keV (all P>0.99) and increased at 40 keV (all P<0.001), and the SNR in arteries was increased at 60 keV (P<0.001 to P=0.02) in VMI reconstructions compared with those in the M_0.5-C images. The subjective scores in VMI reconstructions at 40 and 60 keV was higher than those in M_0.5-C images (all P<0.001).The image quality at 60 keV was superior to that at 40 keV (P<0.001), and there was no difference in the visualization of the perforators between 40 and 60 keV (P=0.31).

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Utilisation of virtual non-contrast images and virtual mono-energetic images acquired from dual-layer spectral CT for renal cell carcinoma: image quality and radiation dose

Cited by 25 publications

References 25 publications

Abdominal virtual non-contrast images derived from energy spectrum CT to evaluate chemotherapy-related fatty liver disease

Abdominal virtual non-contrast images derived from energy spectrum CT to evaluate chemotherapy-related fatty liver disease

Comparison of image quality of two versions of deep-learning image reconstruction algorithm on a rapid kV-switching CT: a phantom study

Improving visualization of free fibula flap perforators and reducing radiation dose in dual-energy CT angiography

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