PURPOSE: To evaluate if two-pass dual-energy CT imaging--i.e., simultaneous three-material and two-material decomposition analysis--can depict and characterize urinary stones in various concentrations of iodine solution in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve urinary stones were scanned with a dual-source CT scanner. First, each stone (in a saline-filled tube) underwent single- and dual-energy mode CT scans in order to measure the volume of the stone. Each stone was then placed in various concentrations of contrast medium and scanned in dual-energy mode to calculate its volume via three-material decomposition analysis. Two-pass dual-energy CT imaging analysis software for the Matlab environment, which was developed specifically to process simultaneous three-material and two-material decomposition, was applied to characterize and calculate the volume of each stone. RESULTS: Although the virtual non-contrast images from three-material decomposition analysis clearly visualized all of the stones in contrast medium with up to 80 mgI/mL, the volumes of the uric acid stones were overestimated. Two-pass dual-energy CT imaging was able to depict and characterize non-uric-acid stones in diluted contrast medium with up to 80 mgI/mL, whereas uric acid stones were correctly evaluated in diluted contrast medium with 40 mgI/mL or less. CONCLUSIONS: Two-pass dual-energy CT imaging is able to depict and characterize urinary stones in contrast medium.
PURPOSE: To evaluate if two-pass dual-energy CT imaging--i.e., simultaneous three-material and two-material decomposition analysis--can depict and characterize urinary stones in various concentrations of iodine solution in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve urinary stones were scanned with a dual-source CT scanner. First, each stone (in a saline-filled tube) underwent single- and dual-energy mode CT scans in order to measure the volume of the stone. Each stone was then placed in various concentrations of contrast medium and scanned in dual-energy mode to calculate its volume via three-material decomposition analysis. Two-pass dual-energy CT imaging analysis software for the Matlab environment, which was developed specifically to process simultaneous three-material and two-material decomposition, was applied to characterize and calculate the volume of each stone. RESULTS: Although the virtual non-contrast images from three-material decomposition analysis clearly visualized all of the stones in contrast medium with up to 80 mgI/mL, the volumes of the uric acid stones were overestimated. Two-pass dual-energy CT imaging was able to depict and characterize non-uric-acid stones in diluted contrast medium with up to 80 mgI/mL, whereas uric acid stones were correctly evaluated in diluted contrast medium with 40 mgI/mL or less. CONCLUSIONS: Two-pass dual-energy CT imaging is able to depict and characterize urinary stones in contrast medium.
Authors: Naoki Takahashi; Terri J Vrtiska; Akira Kawashima; Robert P Hartman; Andrew N Primak; Joel G Fletcher; Cynthia H McCollough Journal: Radiology Date: 2010-07 Impact factor: 11.105
Authors: Aart J Van Der Molen; Nigel C Cowan; Ullrich G Mueller-Lisse; Claus C A Nolte-Ernsting; Satoru Takahashi; Richard H Cohan Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2007-11-01 Impact factor: 5.315