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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 6/2018

01-06-2018 | Computed Tomography

Quantifying the effect of slice thickness, intravenous contrast and tube current on muscle segmentation: Implications for body composition analysis

Authors: Georg Fuchs, Yves R. Chretien, Julia Mario, Synho Do, Matthias Eikermann, Bob Liu, Kai Yang, Florian J. Fintelmann

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 6/2018

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Abstract

Objectives

To quantify the effect of IV contrast, tube current and slice thickness on skeletal muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and density (SMD) on routine CT.

Methods

CSA and SMD were computed on 216 axial CT images obtained at the L3 level in 72 patients with variations in IV contrast, slice thickness and tube current. Intra-patient mean difference (MD), 95 % CI and limits of agreement were calculated using the Bland-Altman approach. Inter- and intra-analyst agreement was evaluated.

Results

IV contrast significantly increased CSA by 1.88 % (MD 2.33 cm2; 95 % CI 1.76–2.89) and SMD by 5.99 % (p<0.0001). Five mm slice thickness significantly increased mean CSA by 1.11 % compared to 2 mm images (1.32 cm2; 0.78–1.85) and significantly decreased SMD by 11.64 % (p<0.0001). Low tube current significantly decreased mean CSA by 4.79 % (6.44 cm2; 3.78–9.10) and significantly increased SMD by 46.46 % (p<0.0001). Inter- and intra-analyst agreement was excellent.

Conclusions

IV contrast, slice thickness and tube current significantly affect CSA and SMD. Investigators designing and analysing clinical trials using CT for body composition analysis should report CT acquisition parameters and consider the effect of slice thickness, IV contrast and tube current on myometric data.

Key Points

• Intravenous contrast, slice thickness and tube current significantly affect myometric data.
• Image acquisition parameter variations may obscure intrapatient muscle differences on serial measurements.
• Investigators using CT for body composition analysis should report CT acquisition parameters.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Quantifying the effect of slice thickness, intravenous contrast and tube current on muscle segmentation: Implications for body composition analysis
Authors
Georg Fuchs
Yves R. Chretien
Julia Mario
Synho Do
Matthias Eikermann
Bob Liu
Kai Yang
Florian J. Fintelmann
Publication date
01-06-2018
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 6/2018
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-017-5191-3

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