Clinical applications of Dual-energy CT for the quantitative imaging in diffuse liver diseases

Congress:

ECR 2020

Poster Number:

C-05698

Type:

Educational Exhibit

Keywords:

Not applicable, Metabolic disorders, Cirrhosis, Contrast agent-intravenous, CT, Liver, Abdominal Viscera

Authors:

T. YAMAGUCHI¹, K. Sofue¹, E. Ueshima¹, Y. TSUJITA¹, T. Kanda², M. Nogami¹, T. Murakami¹; ¹Kobe/JP, ²Kobe /JP

DOI:

10.26044/ecr2020/C-05698

DOI-Link:

https://dx.doi.org/10.26044/ecr2020/C-05698

Fig. 1: The graph of linear attenuation coefficients for iodine (ρ=1), iodine with...

Fig. 2: The graph of mass attenuation coefficients for water, calcium (Ca), and iodine...

$Fig. 3: The mass attenuation of a mixture can be expressed as the weighted average of the mass attenuation of the constituent materials. The volume fraction of a given material can be calculated by using a graph, where the x- and y-axis are the linear attenuation coefficient at low and high energy, respectively. (μL; linear attenuation coefficient, L; length, A; area)$

Fig. 3: The mass attenuation of a mixture can be expressed as the weighted average of...

Fig. 4: Available DECT systems include (a) CT systems acquiring two consecutive scans...

Learning objectives

To discuss the basic principles, current clinical applications and challenges of dual-energy CT as quantitative imaging biomarkers in diffuse liver diseases.

Background

Diffuse liver diseases, including steatosis, iron overload, and fibrosis, have become a serious public health concern since they eventually progress to cirrhosis with increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma. Accurate evaluation is important for optimizing management and predicting prognosis. Although liver biopsy can simultaneously assess fat, iron, and fibrosis, it has limitations including invasiveness, sampling errors, and interobserver variability. Dual-energy CT has been an alternative method for noninvasive assessment of diffuse liver diseases, potentially serving as ideal quantitative imaging biomarkers.

Findings and procedure details

Technical Background of Dual-Energy CT 1) Basic principles CT imaging is based on the attenuation of an x-ray beam transmitted through the body, and the differentiation of various materials is based on their x-ray attenuation expressed CT numbers in Hounsfield units. The measured CT numbers of a voxel depend on its linear attenuation coefficient, which is not unique for any given material, but a function of the material composition, the x-ray energy, and the mass density of the material. Therefore, materials having different compositions can...

Conclusion

Dual-energy CT provides a quantitative assessment regarding the composition and degree of diffuse liver diseases. Understanding the utility and limitations of this technique is essential to achieve detailed information in diffuse liver diseases.

Personal information and conflict of interest

COI disclosure: None to disclose.

References

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