Value of virtual non-contrast images to identify uncomplicated cystic renal lesions: photon-counting detector CT vs. dual-energy integrating detector CT

Abstract: Purpose
To investigate the value of photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) derived virtual non-contrast (VNC) reconstructions to identify renal cysts in comparison with conventional dual-energy integrating detector (DE EID) CT-derived VNC reconstructions.

Material and methods
We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients with simple renal cysts (Bosniak classification—Version 2019, density ≤ 20 HU and/or enhancement ≤ 20 HU) who underwent multiphase (non-contrast, arterial, portal venous phase) PCD-CT and for whom non-contrast and portal venous phase DE EID-CT was available. Subsequently, VNC reconstructions were calculated for all contrast phases and density as well as contrast enhancement within the cysts were measured and compared. MRI and/or ultrasound served as reference standards for lesion classification.

Results
19 patients (1 cyst per patient; age 69.5 ± 10.7 years; 17 [89.5%] male) were included. Density measurements on PCD-CT non-contrast and VNC reconstructions (arterial and portal venous phase) revealed no significant effect on HU values (p = 0.301). In contrast, a significant difference between non-contrast vs. VNC images was found for DE EID-CT (p = 0.02). For PCD-CT, enhancement for VNC reconstructions was < 20 HU for all evaluated cysts. DE EID-CT measurements revealed an enhancement of > 20 HU in five lesions (26.3%) using the VNC reconstructions, which was not seen with the non-contrast images.

Conclusion
PCD-CT-derived VNC images allow for reliable and accurate characterization of simple cystic renal lesions similar to non-contrast scans whereas VNC images calculated from DE EID-CT resulted in substantial false characterization. Thus, PCD-CT-derived VNC images may substitute for non-contrast images and reduce radiation dose and follow-up imaging

Angaben zum Objekt

• Sprache: Englisch
• Umfang: Online-Ressource
• Anmerkungen: La Radiologia medica. - 129, 5 (2024) , 669-676, ISSN: 1826-6983
• Standort: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main

Beteiligte, Orts- und Zeitangaben

• Urheber: Rau, Stephan Georg ; Rau, Alexander ; Stein, Thomas ; Hagar, Muhammad Taha ; Faby, Sebastian ; Bamberg, Fabian ; Weiss, Jakob
• Ereignis: Veröffentlichung
• (wo): Freiburg
• (wer): Universität
• (wann): 2024

Weitere Informationen

• DOI: 10.1007/s11547-024-01801-2
• URN: urn:nbn:de:bsz:25-freidok-2465800
• Rechteinformation: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Letzte Aktualisierung: 11.03.2025, 11:13 MEZ