Evaluation of virtual unenhanced CT obtained from dual-energy CT urography for detecting urinary stones

Dual-Energy Computed Tomography in Urological Diseases: A Narrative Review

Dual-Energy computed tomography (DECT) with its various advanced techniques, including Virtual Non-Contrast (VNC), effective atomic number (Z-eff) calculation, Z-maps, Iodine Density Index (IDI), and so on, holds great promise in the diagnosis and management of urogenital tumours. In this narrative review, we analyze the current status of knowledge of this technology to provide better lesion characterization, improve the staging accuracy, and give more precise treatment response assessments in relation to urological tumours.

Utility of Dual-Energy Computed Tomography in Clinical Conundra

Advancing medical technology revolutionizes our ability to diagnose various disease processes. Conventional Single-Energy Computed Tomography (SECT) has multiple inherent limitations for providing definite diagnoses in certain clinical contexts. Dual-Energy Computed Tomography (DECT) has been in use since 2006 and has constantly evolved providing various applications to assist radiologists in reaching certain diagnoses SECT is rather unable to identify. DECT may also complement the role of SECT by supporting radiologists to confidently make diagnoses in certain clinically challenging scenarios. In this review article, we briefly describe the principles of X-ray attenuation. We detail principles for DECT and describe multiple systems associated with this technology. We describe various DECT techniques and algorithms including virtual monoenergetic imaging (VMI), virtual non-contrast (VNC) imaging, Iodine quantification techniques including Iodine overlay map (IOM), and two- and three-material decomposition algorithms that can be utilized to demonstrate a multitude of pathologies. Lastly, we provide our readers commentary on examples pertaining to the practical implementation of DECT's diverse techniques in the Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, Biliary, Musculoskeletal, and Neuroradiology systems.

Cornerstones of CT urography: a shared document by the Italian board of urogenital radiology

CT urography is a single term used to refer to different scanning protocols that can be applied for a number of clinical indications. If, on the one hand, this highlights the role of the radiologist in deciding the most suitable technique to perform according to the patient's needs, on the other hand, a certain confusion may arise due to the different technical and clinical variables that have to be taken into account. This has been well demonstrated by a previous work based on an online questionnaire administered to a population of Italian radiologists that brought out similarities as well as differences across the national country. Defining precise guidelines for each clinical scenario, although desirable, is a difficult task to accomplish, if not even unfeasible. According to the prementioned survey, five relevant topics concerning CT urography have been identified: definition and clinical indications, opacification of the excretory system, techniques, post-processing reconstructions, and radiation dose and utility of dual-energy CT. The aim of this work is to deepen and share knowledge about these main points in order to assist the radiology in the daily practice. Moreover, a synopsis of recommendations agreed by the Italian board of genitourinary imaging is provided.

Use of dual energy CT urography in evaluation of urinary stone and complex cyst

BACKGROUND

Dual-energy computed tomography scans can provide significant benefits to the urinary system. The aim of this study is to determine the limitations and benefits of using dual energy CT urography in patients with urinary system stones and cysts.

METHODS

In the analysis of the images, the virtual noncontrasted images obtained from the combined nephrogenicexcretory phase and the true noncontrasted images were evaluated. The true noncontrast images were accepted as the gold standard for stone detection.

RESULTS

Eighty-three different stones were detected in 26 of the 115 patients included in the study. Sensibilities of virtual noncontrast images in detecting urinary system stones were 66.7% and 65.4% according to the first and second radiologists, respectively. In this study, 32 hyperdense cysts were detected. According to iodine map images, there was no enhancement in 26 of 32 cysts; only 5 cysts showed minimal contrast enhancement. One patient could not decide on contrast enhancement.

DISCUSSION

As a result, if CT urography is performed with dual energy, it can provide additional information in patients with urinary system disorder.

Sensitivity of virtual non-contrast dual-energy CT urogram for detection of urinary calculi: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the sensitivity of dual-energy (DE) virtual non-contrast computed tomography (vNCT), generated from the excretory phase of a CT urogram, compared to true non-contrast CT (tNCT) for the detection of urinary calculi.

METHODS

A search of multiple medical literature databases was performed using predetermined search terms. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, and bias risk was assessed by two independent reviewers using the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies (QUADAS) tool. Collated estimates of sensitivity were generated, and sources of heterogeneity were identified and reviewed.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies (1760 patients; 1740 urinary calculi) were included for sensitivity assessment. Pooled sensitivity for urinary calculi on vNCT was 78.1% (95% CI: 70.2 to 85.0%); however, heterogeneity between studies was very high (I² = 92.0%). Sources of heterogeneity between studies were explored through subgroup analysis by categorising studies according to slice thickness (≥ 2 mm and < 2 mm), use of oral hydration, and use of intravenous furosemide. Pooled sensitivity for detection of urinary calculi on vNCT for studies that used oral hydration and < 2 mm slice thickness was 92.2% (95% CI: 89.5 to 94.5%). Pooled specificity was not performed as true negatives were not reported in most studies. Potential sources of bias were identified in included studies.

CONCLUSION

vNCT demonstrated a moderate pooled sensitivity compared to tNCT for the detection of urinary calculi in split bolus CT urogram protocols. However, subgroup analysis suggests higher sensitivity when employing oral hydration and < 2 mm slice thickness or increment.

KEY POINTS

• vNCT demonstrated moderate pooled sensitivity for the detection of urinary calculi in split bolus CT urogram protocols. • Subgroup analysis suggested higher sensitivity with oral hydration and < 2 mm slice thickness or increment.

Clinical staging of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma for T staging: Review and pictorial essay

Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma is staged using the TNM classification of malignant tumors. Preoperative TNM is important for treatment planning. Computed tomography urography is now widely used for clinical survey of upper urinary tract carcinoma because of its diagnostic accuracy. Computed tomography urography is recommended as the first-line imaging procedure in several guidelines. Several reports stated that computed tomography urography is also useful for staging. However, no educational and practical reviews detailing the T staging of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas using imaging are available. We discuss the scanning protocol, T staging using computed tomography urography, limitations, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography comparison and pitfalls in imaging of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma. A recent study reported the high diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography urography with respect to T3 or higher stage tumors. To date, images that show a Tis-T2 stage have not been reported, but various studies are ongoing. Although magnetic resonance imaging has lower spatial resolution than computed tomography urography, magnetic resonance imaging can be carried out without radiation exposure or contrast agents. Magnetic resonance imaging also offers the unique ability of diffusion-weighted imaging without contrast agent use. Some researchers reported that diffusion-weighted imaging is useful not only for detecting lesions, but for predicting the T stage and tumor grade. We recommend the appropriate use of computed tomography and magnetic resonance while considering the limitations of each modality and the pitfalls in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma imaging.

Initial exploration of coronary stent image subtraction using dual-layer spectral CT

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of coronary stent image subtraction using spectral tools derived from dual-layer spectral computed tomography (CT).

METHODS

Forty-three patients (65 stents) who underwent coronary CT angiography using dual-layer spectral CT were included. Conventional, 50-keV (kilo electron-volt), 100-keV, and virtual non-contrast (VNC) images were reconstructed from the same cardiac phase. Stents were subtracted on VNC images from conventional (conv_sub), 100-keV (100-keV_sub), and 50-keV (50-keV_sub) images. The in-stent lumen diameters were measured on subtraction, conventional, and 100-keV images. Subjective evaluation of reader confidence and subtractive quality was evaluated. Friedman tests were performed to compare in-stent lumen diameters and subjective evaluation among different images. Correlation between stent diameter and subjective evaluation was expressed as Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (r_s). The diagnostic accuracy was assessed according to invasive coronary angiography (ICA) performed in 11 patients (20 stents).

RESULTS

In-stent lumen diameters were significantly larger on subtraction images than those on conventional and 100-keV images (p < 0.05). Higher reader confidence was found on 100-keV, conv_sub, 100-keV_sub, and 50-keV_sub images compared with conventional images (p < 0.05). Subtractive quality of 100-keV_sub images was better than that of conv_sub images (p = 0.037). A moderate-to-strong correlation between stent diameter and subjective evaluation was found (r_s = 0.527~0.790, p < 0.05). Higher specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of subtraction images were shown by ICA results.

CONCLUSIONS

Subtraction images derived from dual-layer spectral CT enhanced in-stent lumen visibility and could potentially improve diagnostic performance for evaluating coronary stents.

KEY POINTS

• Dual-layer spectral CT enabled good subtractive quality of coronary stents without misregistration artifacts. • Subtraction images could improve in-stent lumen visibility. • Reader confidence and diagnostic performance were enhanced with subtraction images.

Dual-energy CT workflow: multi-institutional consensus on standardization of abdominopelvic MDCT protocols

PURPOSE

To standardize workflow for dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) involving common abdominopelvic exam protocols.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

9 institutions (4 rsDECT, 1 dsDECT, 4 both) with 32 participants [average # years (range) in practice and DECT experience, 12.3 (1-35) and 4.6 (1-14), respectively] filled out a single survey (n = 9). A five-point agreement scale (0, 1, 2, 3, 4-contra-, not, mildly, moderately, strongly indicated, respectively) and utilization scale (0-not performing and shouldn't; 1-performing but not clinically useful; 2-performing but not sure if clinically useful; 3-not performing it but would like to; 4-performing and clinically useful) were used. Consensus was considered with a score of ≥2.5. Survey results were discussed over three separate live webinar sessions.

RESULTS

5/9 (56%) institutions exclude large patients from DECT. 2 (40%) use weight, 2 (40%) use transverse dimension, and 1 (20%) uses both. 7/9 (78%) use 50 keV for low and 70 keV for medium monochromatic reconstructed images. DECT is indicated for dual liver [agreement score (AS) 3.78; utilization score (US) 3.22] and dual pancreas in the arterial phase (AS 3.78; US 3.11), mesenteric ischemia/gastrointestinal bleeding in both the arterial and venous phases (AS 2.89; US 2.79), RCC exams in the arterial phase (AS 3.33; US 2.78), and CT urography in the nephrographic phase (AS 3.11; US 2.89). DECT for renal stone and certain single-phase exams is indicated (AS 3.00).

CONCLUSIONS

DECT is indicated during the arterial phase for multiphasic abdominal exams, nephrographic phase for CTU, and for certain single-phase and renal stone exams.

White Paper of the Society of Computed Body Tomography and Magnetic Resonance on Dual-Energy CT, Part 4: Abdominal and Pelvic Applications

This is the fourth of a series of 4 white papers that represent expert consensus documents developed by the Society of Computed Body Tomography and Magnetic Resonance through its task force on dual-energy computed tomography. This article, part 4, discusses DECT for abdominal and pelvic applications and, at the end of each, will offer our consensus opinions on the current clinical utility of the application and opportunities for further research.

Renal applications of dual-energy CT

Dual-energy CT is being increasingly used for abdominal imaging due to its incremental benefit of material characterization without significant increase in radiation dose. Knowledge of the different dual-energy CT acquisition techniques and image processing algorithms is essential to optimize imaging protocols and understand potential limitations while using dual-energy CT renal imaging such as urinary calculi characterization, assessment of renal masses and in CT urography. This review article provides an overview of the current dual-energy CT techniques and use of dual-energy CT in renal imaging.

Application of computed tomography virtual noncontrast spectral imaging in evaluation of hepatic metastases: a preliminary study

Objective:

The objective was to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate hepatic metastases using computed tomography (CT) virtual noncontrast (VNC) spectral imaging in a retrospective analysis.

Methods:

Forty hepatic metastases patients underwent CT scans including the conventional true noncontrast (TNC) and the tri-phasic contrast-enhanced dual energy spectral scans in the hepatic arterial, portal venous, and equilibrium phases. The tri-phasic spectral CT images were used to obtain three groups of VNC images including in the arterial (VNCa), venous (VNCv), and equilibrium (VNCe) phase by the material decomposition process using water and iodine as a base material pair. The image quality and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of metastasis of the four groups were compared with ANOVA analysis. The metastasis detection rates with the four nonenhanced image groups were calculated and compared using the Chi-square test.

Results:

There were no significant differences in image quality among TNC, VNCa and VNCv images (P > 0.05). The quality of VNCe images was significantly worse than that of other three groups (P < 0.05). The mean CNR of metastasis in the TNC and VNCs images was 1.86, 2.42, 1.92, and 1.94, respectively; the mean CNR of metastasis in VNCa images was significantly higher than that in other three groups (P < 0.05), while no statistically significant difference was observed among VNCv, VNCe and TNC images (P > 0.05). The metastasis detection rate of the four nonenhanced groups with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05).

Conclusions:

The quality of VNCa and VNCv images is identical to that of TNC images, and the metastasis detection rate in VNC images is similar to that in TNC images. VNC images obtained from arterial phase show metastases more clearly. Thus, VNCa imaging may be a surrogate to TNC imaging in hepatic metastasis diagnosis.

Evaluation of Virtual Noncontrast Images Obtained from Dual-Energy CTA for Diagnosing Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The virtual noncontrast images generated with iodine subtraction from dual-energy CTA images are expected to replace the true noncontrast images for radiation-dose reduction. This study assessed the feasibility of virtual noncontrast images for diagnosing SAH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty-four patients with or without SAH underwent true noncontrast brain CT (the criterion standard for diagnosing SAH). Among them, 37 patients underwent an additional head dual-energy angiography, and the other patients underwent head and neck dual-energy angiography. Virtual noncontrast images were produced on a dedicated dual-energy postprocessing workstation and reconstructed in orientation and section width identical to those in true noncontrast images. The findings on the virtual noncontrast and true noncontrast images were compared at both the individual level and the lesion level. Image noise of the virtual noncontrast and true noncontrast images was also measured and compared. The volume CT dose index and dose-length product were recorded for the radiation-dose analysis.

RESULTS

The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of virtual noncontrast images at the individual level and the lesion level were 94.5%, 100%, 100%, 90.6% and 86.7%, 96.9%, 91.8%, 94.8%, respectively. The agreement in the diagnosis of SAH on true noncontrast and virtual noncontrast images reached 92.3% at the individual level and 85.1% at the lesion level. The virtual noncontrast images showed a higher image noise level. The volume CT dose index and dose-length product were obviously reduced without the true noncontrast brain CT scan.

CONCLUSIONS

Virtual noncontrast images are a reliable tool for diagnosing SAH, with the advantage of reducing the radiation dose.

Characterisation of urinary stones in the presence of iodinated contrast medium using dual-energy CT: a phantom study

OBJECTIVE

To develop a dual-energy CT (DECT) method for differentiating uric acid (UA) from non-UA stones in the presence of iodinated contrast medium.

METHODS

Thirty UA and 45 non-UA stones were selected after infra-red spectroscopic analysis and independently placed in a 1.5-ml vial, which was filled first with saline and then with increasing concentrations of iodine. For each condition, tubes were put in a 35-cm water phantom and examined using a dual-source CT system at 100 and 140 kV. Virtual unenhanced images created from CT data sets of the stones in iodine-containing solutions provided position and volume information. This map was used to calculate a CT number ratio to differentiate stone type. A region-growing method was developed to improve the ability to differentiate between UA and non-UA stones with iodinated contrast medium.

RESULTS

The sensitivity for detecting UA stones was 100 % for unenhanced images but fell to 18 % with 20 mgI/ml iodine solution and 0 % for higher concentrations. With region growing, the sensitivity for detecting UA stones was increased to 100 %, 82 %, 57 %, 50 % and 21 % for iodine solutions of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mgI/ml.

CONCLUSION

The region-growing method improves differentiation of UA from non-UA stones on contrast-enhanced DECT urograms.

KEY POINTS

Computed tomography is widely used to assess renal tract calculi. Dual-energy CT can assess stone composition and provide virtual unenhanced images. However, iodinated contrast medium affects the volume estimation for urinary stones. CTR of stones is altered by the surrounding iodine in CT urograms. The region-growing method improves the identification of uric acid stones.

How much dose can be saved in three-phase CT urography? A combination of normal-dose corticomedullary phase with low-dose unenhanced and excretory phases

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree to which the total radiation dose for CT urography can be lowered by selective reduction of the dose in the unenhanced and excretory phases when images in these phases are systematically evaluated alongside normal-dose corticomedullary phase images.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Twenty-seven patients (mean age, 74±9 years) underwent single-bolus CT urography with acquisition in the unenhanced, corticomedullary, and 5-minute excretory phases. The scanning parameters for normal-dose CT urography were as follows: 16×0.75 mm, 120 kV, and automatic exposure control technique reference tube loads of 100, 120, and 100 effective mAs (mAseff). The patients also underwent low-dose unenhanced and excretory phase scanning, in which the dose was escalated stepwise from a volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) of 1.7 to 6.6 mGy (reference 20-40-60-80 mAseff). Images were analyzed for quality and diagnostic confidence. If low-dose scans of three patients were inadequate, the study continued to the next dose level. When 20 patients were successfully included in the unenhanced and excretory phase groups, the study ended. Doses were calculated with a CT patient dosimetry calculator.

RESULTS

Combined with the normal dose for corticomedullary phase scanning, doses of CTDIvol 1.5 mGy for the unenhanced phase and CTDIvol 2.7 mGy for the excretory phase were sufficient. The effective dose for three-phase CT urography was lowered from 16.2 to 9.4 mSv, a decrease of 42%. Diagnostic confidence in low-dose images was equal to that in normal-dose images when low-dose unenhanced and excretory phase images were read along-side normal-dose corticomedullary phase images.

CONCLUSION

With a three-phase CT urographic protocol, significant dose reductions in the unenhanced and excretory phases can be achieved when these phases are combined with a normal-dose corticomedullary phase.

Applications of dual-energy CT in urologic imaging: an update

This article discusses modern dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) and the unique material-specific information these scanners can provide. A description of the technical aspects of the various DECT techniques is provided. Specific clinical applications in urologic imaging, including chemical composition of urolithiasis, evaluation of renal masses, detection of urothelial neoplasms, and adrenal adenoma imaging, are discussed. The unique postprocessed image sets, including virtual noncontrast, iodine overlay, and stone composition, are described.