Published in:
01-08-2016
Reduction of peristalsis-related gastrointestinal streak artifacts with dual-energy CT: a patient and phantom study
Published in: Abdominal Radiology | Issue 8/2016
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Objective
The purpose of the study was to assess the ability of rapid-kV switching (rs) dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) to reduce peristalsis-related streak artifact.
Methods
rsDECT images of 100 consecutive patients (48 male, 52 female, mean age 57 years) were retrospectively evaluated in this institutional review board–approved study. Image reconstructions included virtual monochromatic 70 and 120 keV images, as well as iodine(-water) and water(-iodine) material decomposition images. We recorded the presence and severity of artifacts qualitatively (4-point scale) and quantitatively [iodine/water concentrations, Hounsfield units, gray scale values (GY)] and compared to corresponding unaffected reference tissue. Similar measures were obtained in DECT images of a peristalsis phantom. Wilcoxon signed-rank and paired t tests were used to compare results between different image reconstructions.
Results
Peristalsis-related streak artifacts were found in 49 (49%) of the DECT examinations. Artifacts were significantly more severe in 70, 120, and water(-iodine) images than in iodine(-water) images (qualitative readout P < 0.001, each). Quantitative measurements were significantly different between the artifact and the reference tissue in 70, 120 keV, and water(-iodine) images (P < 0.001 for both HU and GY for each image reconstruction), but not significantly different in iodine(-water) images (iodine concentrations P = 0.088 and GY P = 0.111). Similar results were seen in the peristalsis DECT phantom study.
Conclusions
Peristalsis-related streak artifacts seen in 70, 120 keV, and water(-iodine) images are substantially reduced in iodine(-water) images at rsDECT.