1.Experimental study on the effects of X-ray beam hardening from contrast agent on CT values
Huichuang YE ; Ying CHEN ; Danhong ZHANG ; Hai YANG ; Shaofa KE ; Shufeng FAN
Journal of Practical Radiology 2017;33(6):629-631,647
Objective To investigate the effects of X-ray beam hardening from contrast agent on CT values on CTA images.Methods The 20 mL syringes were numbered 1 to 26.The syringe 1,4,7,23 and 20 were filled with 1 mL,0.8 mL,0.6 mL,0.4 mL and 0.2 mL of iodine contrast medium (300 mg I/mL),respectively,and then mixed each of them with 0.9% NaC1 solution to get a total of 20 mL solution in each syringe.The rest of 26 syringes were filled with 20 mL of 0.9% NaC1 solution,as the experimental group to simulate carotid artery CTA examination.Matched 26 numbered syringes were filled with 20 mL 0.9% NaC1 solution respectively,as control group to simulate plain scan.CT scans were performed,CT values were measured,and then the difference of CT values of 0.9 % NaCl solution in two groups was analyzed statistically.Results The mean,maximum and minimum CT values of saline in the experimental group vs control group were (-0.139±10.322) HU vs (5.585±2.939) HU,14.6 HU vs 9.7 HU,-23.8 HU vs-2.4 HU,respectively,and the differences were significant (t=2.695,P<0.05).The CT values of saline around the high concentrations of iodine solution showed a large fluctuation range.Conclusion The X ray beam hardening effects caused by high concentration of iodine contrast on carotid artery CTA phase,may cause significant fluctuations of CT values.