Reduction of radiation dose and contrast medium volume in computed tomography pulmonary angiography: adaptation of dual-energy computed tomography (CT) protocols to the body mass index.

AIM

To evaluate the image quality and diagnostic value of a body mass index (BMI)-based dual-energy computed tomography (CT) protocol in computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for reduction of radiation dose and contrast medium (CM) volume.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients suspected of having pulmonary embolism were prospectively included and randomly assigned to one of three protocols: Protocol A (a standard protocol, 100 kV/140 mAs/50 mL iodinated CM), B (a conventional dual-energy protocol, 80-140 kV switching/automatic tube current/weight-dependent CM volume) and C (a BMI-based dual-energy protocol, 80-140 kV switching/BMI-based tube current/weight-dependent CM volume, BMI-based CM injection rate). Subjective and objective image analysis were performed by two radiologists independently. Diagnostic accuracy of pulmonary embolism were evaluated. Inter-group comparison was performed.

RESULTS

Ninety patients (mean age 54.1 ± 13.3 years, 57 men) were included, with 30 patients in each group. The CT values, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the pulmonary arteries in group C were significantly higher than those in group B (358.2 ± 50.5 vs 324.9 ± 57.2, p=0.047, 17.8 ± 3.2 vs 15.3 ± 2.9, p=0.010, 19.2 ± 4.1 vs 15.7 ± 3.8, p=0.014). The dose length product (DLP) and CM volume were significantly reduced in groups B and C (A vs B vs C, DLP, 287.9 ± 34.0 vs 177.2 ± 39.2 vs 183.8 ± 23.1 mGy·cm), p<0.001, CM, 50.0 ± 0.0 vs 22.1 ± 3.0 vs 23.2 ± 4.0 ml, p<0.001). There were no significant differences in diagnostic accuracy or subjective image quality among the three groups.

CONCLUSION

The BMI-based dual-energy CT protocol can reduce radiation exposure and iodine burden compared to routine CTPA without affecting the image quality and diagnostic accuracy in patients with a BMI under 30 kg/m.