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

Pan Liang, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate image quality and diagnostic accuracy of CT single energy fusion image (optimal keV+70keV) for small HCC (<3cm) in patients with HBV or Cirrhosis.

Twenty-eight patients with 32 small HCC(﹤3cm）who were HBV+ve and/or cirrhotic underwent spectral CT to generate conventional 140-kVp polychromatic images and monochromatic images with energy levels from 40 to 140 keV during the arterial phase. The image with highest lesion to liver contrast to noise ratio CNR (optimal keV）and lowest noise (70keV) were used to reconstruct a fusion image. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the CNR and image noise of fusion image to that of conventional image (QC), optimal keV and 70kev. The lesion detection and the overall image quality were compared using 5 point method and nonparametric tests.

The optimal keV was determined to be 52±4 keV. The CNR of fusion group (5.62±1.54) were significantly higher than that of QC group (3.51 ±1.21) (p<0.05) and 70keV Group (4.05±1.03) (p<0.05) and the image noise of fusion group (21.40±4.40) were significantly lower than that of QC group (17.69±.1.63) (p﹤0.01) and optimal keV group (34.00±4.25) (P<0.05). The lesion detection capacity score of fusion group (3.66 ± 0.51) were significantly higher than that of QC group (3.06 ± 0.432) (P<0.05) and 70keV group (2.89 ± 0.38) (P<0.05) with overall image quality score of the fusion group (3.61 ± 0.53) significantly higher than that of the other three groups (P<0.05).

Monochromatic images with energy level 52±4 keV had higher CNR values. Application of CT single energy image fusion technology (optimal keV + 70keV) has promising potential with overall better image quality and lesion detection capability in small HCCs with HBV or Cirrhosis.  

Cirrhosis and HBV infection has a high risk for developing HCC.Implementation of fused image in these high risk patients can detect HCC early on with better detection capacity and image quality than conventional CT.

Xing, J, Gao, J, Limbu, H, Liang, P, Application of Spectral CT Image Fusion Technology in Small HCC for Evaluating Diagnostic Accuracy and Image Quality.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14045568.html