Hiroyuki Morisaka, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Utaroh Motosugi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Katsuhiro Sano MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hironobu Sou MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Tomoaki Ichikawa MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Tsutomu Araki MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To investigate the effectiveness of images obtained at 80 kVp by non-helical, volumetric acquisition with the 320-detector row or area-detector CT scanner in the detection of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to compare them with those obtained using a high tube voltage of 135 kVp in the dual-energy CT imaging and with routine images obtained at 120 kVp.

In this study, 128 patients (80 males and 48 females) underlying cirrhotic liver were included. Of the patients, 148 HCC ( mean size, 17 mm) were found by pathologic analysis (n = 22) and a combination of multi-imaging criteria (n = 126). All CT imaging were performed with an area-detector CT scanner with 320-detector row. Seventy-six patient underwent single-source, dual-energy CT imaging with 80 kVp and 135 kVp for HAP images.The remaining 52 patients underwent routine CT imaging with helical scanning in 64-MDCT mode with 120 kVp. Total dose of radiation exposure with dual-energy CT imaging proved to be lower than that of routine CT imaging. The relationships between the patients’ body weight and tube current with each protocol were assessed. Image noise and tumor-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for each protocol were compared. Az values, sensitivities, and specificities for detecting hypervascular HCC based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were also compared among each protocol.

The results of the relationships between the patients’ body weight and tube current indicated that the tube current with 80 kVp was insufficient for the majority of patients. There was a 2-fold increase in the mean image noise with 80 kVp over those with 135 and 120 kVp (p< .001). There were no significant differences in CNR among all techniques.Meanwhile, the mean Az value and the sensitivity with 80 kVp (.980, 78/79, 99%) were higher than those of 135 kVp (.804, 57/79, 73%) and 120 kVp in all 3 readers (.841, 55/69, 79%) (p< .05 for the Az value, p< .001 for the sensitivity).

Low-tube-voltage (80 kVp) CT imaging using a non-helical, volumetric scan technique with an area-detector CT scanner can improve the diagnostic performance and the sensitivity in the detection of hypervascular HCC, when compared with high-tube-voltage and even routine CT imaging.

Low-tube-voltage (80 kVp) CT imaging with an area-detector CT scanner can improve the diagnostic performance in the detection of hypervascular HCC.

Morisaka, H, Motosugi, U, Sano, K, Sou, H, Ichikawa, T, Araki, T, Non-Helical, Volumetric Dual-Energy CT Imaging with Area-Detector CT Scanner for Evaluating Hypervascular Hepatocellular Carcinoma.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11011673.html