Feasibility and accuracy of tissue characterization with dual source computed tomography

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of a model for tissue characterization with dual source computed tomography (DSCT). Methods and Materials A model for tissue characterization in CT was used with a parameterization of linear attenuation coefficients. Sixteen chemical substances with effective atomic numbers between 5.21 and 13.08 and electron densities between 2.20 and 4.12 x10 23 electrons/cm 3 were scanned at energies of 80 and 140 kV on a DSCT. From the reconstructed dual energy data sets, effective atomic numbers and electron densities of the substances were calculated. Results Our presented model using DSCT approximated the effective atomic numbers and effective electron densities of 16 substances very well. The measured effective atomic numbers deviated 3.4 ± 6.8% ( R 2 = 0.994) from theoretical effective atomic numbers. In addition, measured effective electron densities deviated −0.6 ± 2.2% ( R 2 = 0.999) from theoretical effective electron densities. Conclusion Effective atomic numbers and effective electron densities can be determined with a high accuracy with DSCT. Therefore the model can be of potential benefit for clinical applications of quantitative tissue characterization with DSCT.