RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Spectral Properties of Abdominal Tissues on Dual-energy Computed Tomography and the Effects of Contrast Agent
JF In Vivo
JO In Vivo
FD International Institute of Anticancer Research
SP 3277
OP 3287
DO 10.21873/invivo.12623
VO 35
IS 6
A1 DIANA A. KREUL
A1 RAHEL A. KUBIK-HUCH
A1 JOHN FROEHLICH
A1 MICHAEL J. THALI
A1 TILO NIEMANN
YR 2021
UL http://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/35/6/3277.abstract
AB Background/Aim: Multiparametric dual energy comptuted tomography (CT) imaging allows for multidimensional tissue characterization beyond the measurement of Hounsfield units. The purpose of this study was to evaluate multiple imaging parameters for different abdominal organs in dual energy CT (DECT) and analyze the effects of the contrast agent on these different parameters and provide normal values for characterization of parenchymatous organs. Patients and Methods: This retrospective analysis included a total of 484 standardized DECT scans of the abdomen. Hounsfield Units (HU), rho (electron density relative to water), Zeff (effective atomic number) and FF (fat fraction) were evaluated for liver, spleen, kidney, muscle, fat-tissue. Independent generalized estimation equation models were fitted. Results: In DECT imaging there is only little difference in mean HUmixed for parenchymatous abdominal organs. Analysis including Zeff, rho and FF allows for better discrimination while a large overlap remains for liver, spleen and muscle. Including multidimensional analysis and the effects of contrast medium further enhances tissue characterization. Small differences remain for liver and spleen. Conclusion: Organ characterization using multiparametric dual energy CT analysis is possible. An increased number of parameters obtained from DECT improves organ characterization. To our knowledge this is the first attempt to provide normal values for characterization of parenchymatous organs.