Abstract

Abstract Objectives To investigate the computed tomography (CT) attenuation values and the dual-energy index (DEI) of cocaine and heroin at different tube voltage settings in a phantom study. Materials and methods Thirty-three hand-wrapped bodypacks prepared of heroin ( n =17) and cocaine ( n =16) at varying concentrations were submerged in a 28-cm water tank and imaged four times with a dual-source 64-detector row CT at peak tube voltage levels of 80kVp, 100kVp, 120kVp, and 140kVp. Tube current in each protocol was adjusted for a similar CT volume dose index of 8.0mGy. Image noise and the CT attenuation values were measured in each drug container three times at each tube voltage level by two independent observers, and the DEI was calculated from measurements at 80kVp and 140kVp. Results Image noise at the four tube voltage levels was similar ( p =0.32). Intra- and interobserver agreement was good ( r =0.89 to.93; p p r =−0.67; p r =−0.15; p =0.23). Conclusions CT attenuation values measured at low tube voltage level and using the DEI improve the differentiation of cocaine and heroin-containing bodypacks compared to measurements at higher tube voltage settings.

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