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Dual-energy-CT of hypervascular liver lesions in patients with HCC: investigation of image quality and sensitivity

  • Computed Tomography
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Abstract

Objective

To investigate dual-energy CT of hypervascular liver lesions in patients with HCC.

Methods

Forty patients with hepatocellular carcinomas were investigated with abdominal dual-energy CT. In each patient unenhanced and contrast-enhanced imaging with arterial und portovenous delay were performed. Hypervascular lesions were documented on arterial phase 80-kVp images, 140-kVp images, and the averaged arterial images by two radiologists. Subjective image quality (5-point scale, from 5 [excellent] to 1 [not interpretable]) was rated on all images.

Results

The mean number of hypervascular HCC lesions detected was 3.37 ± 1.28 on 80-kVp images (p < 0.05), 1.43 ± 1.13 on 140-kVp images (p < 0.05), and 2.57 ± 1.2 on averaged images. The image quality was 0.3 ± 0.5 for 80-kVp (p < 0.05), 1.6 ± 0.5 for 140-kVp (p < 0.05) and 3.2 ± 0.4 for the averaged images.

Conclusion

Low-kVp images of dual-energy datasets are more sensitive in detecting hypervascular liver lesions. However, this increase in sensitivity goes along with a decrease in the subjective image quality of low-kVp images.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany

    Jens Altenbernd, Till A. Heusner, Adrian Ringelstein, Susanne C. Ladd, Michael Forsting & Gerald Antoch

  2. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122, Essen, Germany

    Jens Altenbernd

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  1. Jens Altenbernd
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  2. Till A. Heusner
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  3. Adrian Ringelstein
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  5. Michael Forsting
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  6. Gerald Antoch
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Correspondence to Jens Altenbernd.

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Altenbernd, J., Heusner, T.A., Ringelstein, A. et al. Dual-energy-CT of hypervascular liver lesions in patients with HCC: investigation of image quality and sensitivity. Eur Radiol 21, 738–743 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-010-1964-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-010-1964-7

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