Abstract
Purpose: To explore the significance of dual-source computed tomography (DECT) virtual monoenergetic reconstructions technology in improving image quality for portal vein system of pancreatic cancer patients. Materials and methods: 47 patients with clinically suspected pancreatic cancer (all confirmed by pathology) were collected. Routine plain scan was performed with Siemens Force dual-source dual-energy CT followed by 3 scans respectively carried out in arterial phase, portal phase and delayed phase. Traditional virtual monoenergetic reconstructions (Mono_E) and new generation of virtual monoenergetic reconstructions (Mono+) were respectively performed on portal vein images to obtain virtual single energy images including Mono_ E70 keV, Mono_E 55 keV and Mono+ 70 keV and Mono+ 55 keV. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and noise of portal vein, normal pancreatic tissues and pancreatic lesions of 100 kV, Mono_E and Mono+ images were compared. In addition, the contrast noise ratio of portal vein and lesions as well as pancreatic tissues and lesions (CNR PV, CNRtumor) were also compared. At the same time, two imaging physicians with rich clinical experiences read the films and scored the images of each group by using the 5-point scoring method. Results: Mono+ 55 keV images including SNRpv, SNRpanc, SNRtumor, Noise, CNRpv, CNRtumor were statistically different from 100 KV images and Mono_E images (P keV image score also had the highest score, which had statistical significance (P keV images had the best quality. Conclusion: The new generation of virtual Mono+ post-treatment can reduce image noise. Low energy Mono+ images can improve the contrast between pancreatic cancer lesions and portal of pancreatic cancer patients.
Highlights
Pancreatic cancer is a fatal malignant tumor, rarely found in the early stage
The purpose of this study is to explore the advantages of the new generation of virtual single-energy post-treatment technology (Mono+) of dual-source dual-energy CT compared with 100 KV mixed-energy images and traditional virtual single-energy post-treatment technology (Mono_E) and its significance in improving the imaging quality of portal vein system of pancreatic cancer patients
The new generation of dual-source dual-energy CT can calculate single-energy images of any energy level ranging from 40 keV to 190 keV
Summary
Pancreatic cancer is a fatal malignant tumor, rarely found in the early stage. It is called “the king of cancer” because of its low resection rate, easy recurrence and strong invasiveness [1]. The preoperative localization diagnosis and resectability evaluation of pancreatic tumors is one of the hot spots and difficulties in abdominal surgery. Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis, staging and prognosis of pancreatic cancer. In preoperative evaluation of pancreatic cancer, it is very important to clarify the relationship between tumor and peripheral blood vessels as well as the scope and extent of invasion to blood vessels. The purpose of this study is to explore the advantages of the new generation of virtual single-energy post-treatment technology (Mono+) of dual-source dual-energy CT compared with 100 KV mixed-energy images and traditional virtual single-energy post-treatment technology (Mono_E) and its significance in improving the imaging quality of portal vein system of pancreatic cancer patients
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