You Ri Choi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Se Hee Jung MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jung Hyun Kim MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Seo Yeon Park, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Song Choi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Yun-Hyeon Kim MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Hyun Ju Seon MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To prospectively investigate whether the severity of acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) could be quantitatively assessed with dual energy CT (DECT) by comparison with its parameters and cardiac biomarkers

Thirty-five patients (10 men and 25 women, mean age: 67±17 years, range: 17-88 years) with acute PTE underwent DECT at two voltages (140 kVp and 80 kVp). CT angiograms and pulmonary perfusion images with color-coded iodine map were obtained with DECT. Both CT angiographic obstruction score and RV/LV diameter ratio on CT angiograms and perfusion defect score on perfusion images were evaluated at DECT. The CT angiographic obstruction score was calculated on the Qanadli method. The perfusion defect score was defined as ∑ (nxd) /40 x 100, where n is the number of segments and d is the degree of perfusion score from 0 to 2. We assessed correlations between perfusion defect score, CT angiographic obstruction score, RV/LV ration, and cardiac biomarkers.

Perfusion defect score and CT angiographic obstruction score had good correlation with RV/LV diameter ratio (r=0.831, r=0.680: all p<0.001). There was good relationship between perfusion defect score and CT angiographic obstruction score (r=0.821, p<0.001). Perfusion defect score showed a trend of good correlation with cardiac biomarker, but no statistical significant was observed (r :0.388-0.525<0.600, all p>0.05).

Parameters on DECT for CT angiographic obstruction score, RV/LV diameter ratio, and perfusion defect score showed significantly good correlation. Acquisition of perfusion image at DECT may be useful to evaluate the severity assessment of acute pulmonary thromboembolism.

Perfusion defect score at dual energy CT can be useful for the severity assessment of acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE).

Choi, Y, Jung, S, Kim, J, Park, S, Choi, S, Kim, Y, Seon, H, Severity Assessment of Acute Pulmonary Thromboembolism with Dual-Energy CT (DECT): Evaluation of Parameters on DECT and Comparison with Cardiac Biomarkers.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11014400.html