OBJECTIVE: To compare quantitative and qualitative image quality parameters in pediatric abdominopelvic dual-energy CT (DECT) using noise-optimized virtual monoenergetic image (VMI) and conventional VMI at different kiloelectron volt (keV) levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six consecutive abdominopelvic DECT scans were retrospectively included. Noise-optimized VMI and conventional VMI were reconstructed at seven energy levels, from 40 keV to 100 keV at 10 keV intervals. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the liver, pancreas, and aorta were objectively measured and compared. Image quality was evaluated subjectively regarding image noise, image blurring of solid organ, bowel image quality and severity of beam-hardening artifacts. Optimal monoenergetic levels in keV for both algorithms were determined based on overall image quality score. RESULTS: The maximal CNR and SNR values for all investigated organs were observed at 40 keV in noise-optimized VMI (CNR and SNR of liver, pancreas, aorta in order [CNR; 20.93, 17.34, 46.75: SNR; 37.39, 33.80, 63.21]), at 60–70 keV and at 70 keV in conventional VMI (CNR; 8.12, 5.67, 15.97: SNR; 19.57, 16.66, 26.65). In qualitative image analysis, noise-optimized VMI and conventional VMI showed the best overall image quality scores at 60 keV and at 70 keV, respectively. Noise-optimized VMI at 60 keV showed superior CNRs, SNRs, and overall image quality scores compared to conventional VMI at 70 keV (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Optimal energy levels for noise-optimized VMI and conventional VMI were 60 keV and at 70 keV, respectively. Noise-optimized VMI shows superior CNRs, SNRs and subjective image quality over conventional VMI, at the optimal energy level.
Aorta ; Artifacts ; Liver ; Noise ; Pancreas ; Retrospective Studies ; Signal-To-Noise Ratio

An intussusception in adulthood is an unusual cause of bowel obstruction. It accounts for up to 5% of all intussusception. Approximately 90% of cases are secondary to a definite lesion such as malignancy or lipoma. Most patients are asymptomatic and the lesion is often detected incidentally at colonoscopy, operation and autopsy. Strangulated intussuscetion is a rare case and also requires emergency operation. A 32-year-old woman visited our emergency room because of severe epigastric pain. Abdominal CT revealed a low density mass in bowel loop and distended small bowel loops filled with fluid. Colonoscopic finding showed huge purple-colored coil-spring lesion in the ascending colon. From this findings, we diagnosed a strangulated intussusception. Surgically removed specimen revealed a small intestinal lipoma.
Adult ; Male ; Female ; Humans