Jan-Erik Scholtz MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Johannes Kraft, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Eva-Maria Noske, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Boris Schulz MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Moritz Kaup, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Claudia Frellesen, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Boris Bodelle MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Iris Burck MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jens Wagenblast MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Josef Matthias Kerl MD, Abstract Co-Author: Research Consultant, Siemens AG Speakers Bureau, Siemens AG

Ralf W. Bauer MD, Abstract Co-Author: Research Consultant, Siemens AG Speakers Bureau, Siemens AG

Thomas Lehnert MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Thomas Josef Vogl MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Julian Lukas Wichmann MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To investigate a low-tube-voltage 80-kVp acquisition technique for computed tomography (CT) of head and neck primary and recurrent squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with regard to objective and subjective image quality.

This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and written informed consent was waived. We retrospectively evaluated 65 patients (47 male, 18 female; mean age: 62.1 years) who underwent head and neck dual-energy CT due to biopsy-proven primary (n = 50) or recurrent (n = 15) SCC. 80-kVp and standard blended 120-kvp image series were compared. Image noise and signal attenuation of detected malignancy, cervical vessels and various soft tissue structures were measured, tumor signal-to-noise (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated. Subjective image quality was rated by two independent reviewers using a 5-point grading scale regarding overall image quality, lesion delineation, image sharpness, and image noise. Interobserver agreement was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Mean tumor attenuation (153.8±41.2 vs. 97.1±29.2 HU), SNR (10.7±6.9 vs. 8.3±4.9), CNR (8.1±5.4 vs. 4.8±4.9), and subjective tumor delineation (score, 4.65 vs. 4.07) were significantly increased (all P<0.001) with 80-kVp acquisition compared to standard blended 120-kVp images. Interobserver agreement was substantial (ICC, 0.74; 95% confidence intervals: 0.58–0.83). The calculated average dose-length-product was reduced by 48.7% with 80-kVp acquisition compared to the standard dual-energy CT examination (135.9±16.1 vs. 279.0±32.1 mGy•cm, P<0.001).

Head and neck CT with low-tube-voltage 80-kVp acquisition provides increased tumor delineation, SNR, and CNR for CT imaging of primary and recurrent SCC compared to standard 120-kVp acquisition with an accompanying significant reduction of radiation exposure.

Head and neck CT with low-tube-voltage 80-kVp aquisition may improve delineation of squamous cell carcinoma with a simultaneous reduction of radiation dose.

Scholtz, J, Kraft, J, Noske, E, Schulz, B, Kaup, M, Frellesen, C, Bodelle, B, Burck, I, Wagenblast, J, Kerl, J, Bauer, R, Lehnert, T, Vogl, T, Wichmann, J, Head and Neck Low-tube-Voltage 80-kVp CT of Primary and Recurrent Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Evaluation of Objective and Subjective Image Quality.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14004393.html