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  • Title: Use of non-linear image blending with dual-energy CT improves vascular visualization in abdominal angiography.
    Author: Lv P, Liu J, Wu R, Hou P, Hu L, Gao J.
    Journal: Clin Radiol; 2014 Feb; 69(2):e93-9. PubMed ID: 24290775.
    Abstract:
    AIM: To evaluate the image quality of dual-energy abdominal computed tomography (DECT) angiography (CTA) with a non-linear image blending technique as compared with the linear image blending technique and standard single-energy CT (SECT; 120 kVp SECT) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients underwent dual-source, dual-energy abdominal CTA (80 kVp/140 kVp mode) in the arterial phase to generate non-linear image blending and 0.5 linear image blending images. Abdominal vessel enhancement, image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were evaluated and compared to the conventional 120 kVp SECT image sets (n = 29) using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni adjustment. Two radiologists assessed subjective vessel enhancement in consensus. The effective dose was calculated and compared using Student's t-test. RESULTS: The non-linear image blending images were ranked highest (over 0.5 linear image blending and 120 kVp SECT images) regarding mean vascular attenuation, CNR, SNR, and subjective image quality evaluation (p-values ranging from <0.001-0.021). However, there was no significant difference in renal artery branch visualization among the three sets of images (p = 0.405). Linear image blending images showed improved vascular attenuation (p = 0.011) as compared with 120 kVp SECT images, but displayed similar results regarding CNRs (p = 0.045) and SNRs (p = 0.053). The effective radiation dose for the DECT protocol was much lower than the SECT protocol (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The non-linear image blending technique of 80 kVp/140 kVp DECT improved vascular visualization by improving contrast enhancement in abdominal CTA during the arterial phase.
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