Comparative study of abdominal CT enhancement in overweight and obese patients based on different scanning modes combined with different contrast medium concentrations

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To compare image quality, iodine intake, and radiation dose in overweight and obese patients undergoing abdominal computed tomography (CT) enhancement using different scanning modes and contrast medium.

METHODS:

Ninety overweight and obese patients (25 kg/m²≤body mass index (BMI)< 30 kg/m² and BMI≥30 kg/m²) who underwent abdominal CT-enhanced examinations were randomized into three groups (A, B, and C) of 30 each and scanned using gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) +320 mgI/ml, 100 kVp + 370 mgI/ml, and 120 kVp + 370 mgI/ml, respectively. Reconstruct monochromatic energy images of group A at 50–70 keV (5 keV interval). The iodine intake and radiation dose of each group were recorded and calculated. The CT values, contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs), and subjective scores of each subgroup image in group A versus images in groups B and C were by using one-way analysis of variance or Kruskal–Wallis H test, and the optimal keV of group A was selected.

RESULTS:

The dual-phase CT values and CNRs of each part in group A were higher than or similar to those in groups B and C at 50–60 keV, and similar to or lower than those in groups B and C at 65 keV and 70 keV. The subjective scores of the dual-phase images in group A were lower than those of groups B and C at 50 keV and 55 keV, whereas no significant difference was seen at 60–70 keV. Compared to groups B and C, the iodine intake in group A decreased by 12.5% and 13.3%, respectively. The effective doses in groups A and B were 24.7% and 25.8% lower than those in group C, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

GSI +320 mgI/ml for abdominal CT-enhanced in overweight patients satisfies image quality while reducing iodine intake and radiation dose, and the optimal keV was 60 keV.

Keywords

Abdominal CT enhancement gemstone spectral imaging radiation dose low tube voltage low-concentration contrast medium

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