Jingjing Xing MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jianbo Gao MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hangsha Hang Limbu MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Yonggao Zhang, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Pan Liang, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To test the application of spectral CT generated monochromatic images at different energy levels concerning its diagnostic accuracy and image quality compared to the conventional CT in pathologically proven intramucosal gastric carcinoma.

Twenty-two pathologically proven intramucosal gastric carcinoma patients who had undergone spectral CT imaging were reviewed retrospectively to generate conventional 140-kVp polychromatic images (group A) and monochromatic images with energy levels from 40 to 140 keV (group B) during the arterial phase (AP) and the venous phase (VP). The tumor to gastric wall contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and mean image noise were calculated and compared using two-sample t test between group A and group B. The lesion detection rate, reader's confidence and reader's subjective evaluation of image quality were recorded.

Monochromatic images at energy level of 53 ± 3 keV had highest CNR and the lowest mean noise was found to be at energy level of 70 ± 3 keV. Compared to group A, group B monochromatic images with energy level of 40 to 70 keV had significantly higher CNR (p<0.05) and significantly lower image noise (p<0.05) during both AP and VP. The lesion detection rate and readers subjective evaluation of image quality were significantly higher for group B at monochromatic energy levels of 40 to 70 keV.

Monochromatic images at energy levels of 40 to 70 keV can increase detection of intramucosal gastric carcinoma with no degradation in image quality.

Monochromatic images at energy level of 40 to 70 keV increases the conspicuity of early gastric carcinoma decreasing the rate of false negative CT findings.

Xing, J, Gao, J, Limbu, H, Zhang, Y, Liang, P, Spectral CT Single Energy Imaging in Intramucosal Gastric Carcinoma: Evaluation of Diagnostic Accuracy and Image Quality.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14003303.html