OBJECTIVETo investigate the advantages and disadvantages of dual energy with dual-source computed tomography (CT) in cerebral angiography by comparing those of neuro-digital subtraction angiography (Neuro-DSA) .

METHODSTotally 300 patients with normal CT angiography (CTA) images underwent dual energy CT angiography (DE-CTA groups, n=200) and Neuro-DSA scan (Neuro-DSA groups, n=100) using dual source CT. The comparison of two scan approaches was based on image quality, radiation does, post-processing methods, and duration of scanning and subtraction.

RESULTSThe image quality of intracranial blood vessels in DE-CTA group showed no significant difference with that in Neuro-DSA group (P>0.05) , while the number of Grade I images was significantly higher than those of other three grades (P<0.01) . However, the effect of the skull base bone removal with Neuro-DSA is superior to DE-CTA (P<0.01) . The duration of scanning was significantly longer in DE-CTA group than in Neuro-DSA group (P<0.01) . However, the radiation dose, time of entire examination, and time of subtraction were significantly lower/shorter in DE-CTA group than in Neuro-DSA group (P<0.01) . The radiation dose of DE-CTA group is 26.3% lower than Neuro-DSA group.

CONCLUSIONSThe image quality of intracranial blood vessels with head DE-CTA is same as Neuro-DSA, while head DE-CTA has lower radiation doses and higher inspection efficiency than Neuro-DSA. However, the effect of the skull base bone removal needs to be improved.