TITLE:
Significance of an Advanced Image-Based Virtual Monoenergetic Reconstruction of Dual Source Dual-Energy CT Data at Low keV Increases Image Quality for Portal Vein System of Pancreatic Cancer Patients
AUTHORS:
Shuiqing Zhuo, Sihui Zeng, Jingping Yu, Lizhi Liu
KEYWORDS:
Dual-Source, Virtual Monoenergetic Reconstructions, Computed Tomography, Pancreatic Tumors, Portal Vein System, CT Angiography, Image Quality
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.9 No.10,
October
29,
2018
ABSTRACT: Purpose: To explore the significance of dual-source computed tomography (DECT)
virtual monoenergetic reconstructions technology in improving image quality for
portal vein system of pancreatic cancer patients. Materials and methods: 47
patients with clinically suspected pancreatic cancer (all confirmed by
pathology) were collected. Routine plain scan was performed with Siemens Force
dual-source dual-energy CT followed by 3 scans respectively carried out in
arterial phase, portal phase and delayed phase. Traditional virtual
monoenergetic reconstructions (Mono_E) and new generation of virtual monoenergetic
reconstructions (Mono+) were respectively performed on portal vein images to
obtain virtual single energy images including Mono_ E70 keV, Mono_E 55 keV and
Mono+ 70 keV and Mono+ 55 keV. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and noise of
portal vein, normal pancreatic tissues and pancreatic lesions of 100 kV, Mono_E
and Mono+ images were compared. In addition, the contrast noise ratio of portal
vein and lesions as well as pancreatic tissues and lesions (CNR PV, CNRtumor)
were also compared. At the same time, two imaging physicians with rich clinical
experiences read the films and scored the images of each group by using the
5-point scoring method. Results: Mono+ 55 keV images including SNRpv,
SNRpanc, SNRtumor, Noise, CNRpv, CNRtumor were
statistically different from 100 KV images and Mono_E images (P keV image
score also had the highest score, which had statistical significance (P keV
images had the best quality. Conclusion: The new generation of virtual Mono+
post-treatment can reduce image noise. Low energy Mono+ images can improve the
contrast between pancreatic cancer lesions and portal of pancreatic cancer
patients.