Feasibility study of dual-energy CT virtual non-contrast in quantitative analysis of emphysema
10.3969/j.issn.1002-1671.2025.07.007
- VernacularTitle:双能CT虚拟平扫在肺气肿定量分析中的可行性研究
- Author:
Yanbing GUO
1
;
Qiuju FAN
1
;
Zhanli REN
1
;
Hui TAN
1
;
Nan YU
1
;
Yongjun JIA
1
;
Guangming MA
1
Author Information
1. 陕西中医药大学附属医院医学影像科,陕西 咸阳 712000
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
virtual non-contrast;
emphysema;
dual-energy computed tomography;
quantitative analysis
- From:
Journal of Practical Radiology
2025;41(7):1109-1113
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the utility of dual-energy computed tomography(DECT)virtual non-contrast(VNC)images instead of true non-contrast(TNC)images in the quantitative analysis of emphysema.Methods A retrospective selection was con-ducted on 59 patients who underwent chest CT plain scan plus dual-phase enhanced scan on APEX-CT.VNC images of arterial phase(VNCart)and venous phase(VNCven)were generated on AW4.7 workstation.Volume CT dose index(CTDIvol)and dose length product(DLP)were recorded respectively.In a double-blind manner,two physicians graded the severity of each patient's emphysema according to the Fleischner Society's emphysema visual classification system.The"digital lung"detection and analysis platform was used to quantitatively measure emphysema at three thresholds(-950 HU,-930 HU and-910 HU),and the difference in meas-urement results between VNC images and TNC images was compared.Quantitative differences in low attenuation volume(LAV),percentage of low attenuation area(LAA%)and mean lung density(MLD)at the-950 HU threshold were compared using Bland-Altman plots.Results Using TNC images as the standard,there was no significant difference in the results of the visual classifica-tion evaluation of emphysema between TNC and VNC images(χ2=2.80,P=0.247).In quantitative measurement,there was no significant difference in total lung volume(TLV)(χ2=3.26,P=0.196)between the three groups images.Compared to TNC ima-ges,there were no statistically significant differences in LAV,LAA%and MLD of VNCven images at 15th percentile lung density(Perc 15%)and different thresholds(P>0.05).Compared to the TNC mode,the VNC mode could reduce the effective dose(ED)by approximately 32.6%.Conclusion The use of DECT VNCven images on chest has the potential to replace TNC for the quantitative analysis of emphysema,thereby streamlining scans and reducing radiation dose.
