Fabian Morsbach1, Yi-Hua Zhang2, Patrik Nowik3, Lena Martin4, Catarina Lindqvist5, Anders Svensson2, Torkel B Brismar2. 1. Division of Radiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: Fabian.morsbach@usz.ch. 2. Department of Clinical Science Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. 3. Department of Clinical Science Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. 4. Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. 5. Function Area Clinical Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to investigate whether tube potential in contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) affects body composition analysis. METHODS: Images from dual-source, dual-energy CT from the abdomen with intravenous contrast media administration were used. A total of 17 patients (11 women, mean age 52) with a mean body mass index of 20.8 kg/cm2 were included. Simultaneously acquired images with a tube voltage of 80 kV and 140 kV were compared. Body composition was analyzed on a single slice at the L3 level. Parameters evaluated included muscle and fat attenuation (Hounsfield units [HU]), skeletal muscle index (cm2/m2), muscle area (cm2), and steatotic muscle area (cm2). Significant differences between 80 kV and 140 kV series were compared using the paired Student's t test. RESULTS: Tube potential affected muscle attenuation with an average difference of 17% between 80 kV and 140 kV series (48 HU versus 41 HU, P < 0.01), fat attenuation (-84 HU versus -69 HU, P < 0.01), skeletal muscle index of 5.2% (40.1 cm2/m2 versus 42.2 cm2/m2, P < 0.01), muscle area of 5.1% (117 cm2 versus 123 cm2, P < 0.01), and steatotic muscle area of 12.9% (31 cm2 versus 35 cm2, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Tube potential significantly affects body segmentation in contrast-enhanced CT.
OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to investigate whether tube potential in contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) affects body composition analysis. METHODS: Images from dual-source, dual-energy CT from the abdomen with intravenous contrast media administration were used. A total of 17 patients (11 women, mean age 52) with a mean body mass index of 20.8 kg/cm2 were included. Simultaneously acquired images with a tube voltage of 80 kV and 140 kV were compared. Body composition was analyzed on a single slice at the L3 level. Parameters evaluated included muscle and fat attenuation (Hounsfield units [HU]), skeletal muscle index (cm2/m2), muscle area (cm2), and steatotic muscle area (cm2). Significant differences between 80 kV and 140 kV series were compared using the paired Student's t test. RESULTS: Tube potential affected muscle attenuation with an average difference of 17% between 80 kV and 140 kV series (48 HU versus 41 HU, P < 0.01), fat attenuation (-84 HU versus -69 HU, P < 0.01), skeletal muscle index of 5.2% (40.1 cm2/m2 versus 42.2 cm2/m2, P < 0.01), muscle area of 5.1% (117 cm2 versus 123 cm2, P < 0.01), and steatotic muscle area of 12.9% (31 cm2 versus 35 cm2, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Tube potential significantly affects body segmentation in contrast-enhanced CT.
Authors: Robin F Gohmann; Sebastian Gottschling; Patrick Seitz; Batuhan Temiz; Christian Krieghoff; Christian Lücke; Matthias Horn; Matthias Gutberlet Journal: Quant Imaging Med Surg Date: 2021-02