title: Diagnostic confidence and image quality of CT pulmonary angiography at 100 kVp in overweight and obese patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare image quality and diagnostic confidence of 100 kVp CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in patients with body weights (BWs) below and above 100kg.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present retrospective study comprised 216 patients (BWs of 75-99kg, 114 patients; 100-125kg, 88 patients; >125kg, 14 patients), who received 100 kVp CTPA to exclude pulmonary embolism. The attenuation was measured and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was calculated in the pulmonary trunk. Size-specific dose estimates (SSDEs) were evaluated. Three blinded radiologists rated subjective image quality and diagnostic confidence. Results between the BW groups and between three body mass index (BMI) groups (BMI <25kg/m(2), BMI = 25-29.9kg/m(2), and BMI ≥30kg/m(2), i.e., normal weight, overweight, and obese patients) were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vessel attenuation was higher and SDDE was lower in the 75-99kg group than at higher BWs (p-values between <0.001 and 0.03), with no difference between the 100-125 and >125kg groups (p = 0.892 and 1). Subjective image quality and diagnostic confidence were not different among the BW groups (p = 0.225 and 1). CNR was lower (p < 0.006) in obese patients than in normal weight or overweight subjects. Diagnostic confidence was not different in the BMI groups (p = 0.105).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CTPA at 100 kVp tube voltage can be used in patients weighing up to 125kg with no significant deterioration of subjective image quality and confidence. The applicability of 100 kVp in the 125-150kg BW range needs further testing in larger collectives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Debrecen, Clinical Centre, Nagyerdei krt. 98, Debrecen, H-4012, Hungary.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Megyeri
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Diagnostic, Interventional and Paediatric Radiology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Freiburgstrasse 10, Berne, CH-3010, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Christe
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, Basel, CH-4031, Switzerland.
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Schindera
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Debrecen, Clinical Centre, Nagyerdei krt. 98, Debrecen, H-4012, Hungary.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Horkay
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Debrecen, Clinical Centre, Nagyerdei krt. 98, Debrecen, H-4012, Hungary.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sikula
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Diagnostic, Interventional and Paediatric Radiology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Freiburgstrasse 10, Berne, CH-3010, Switzerland.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cullmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Debrecen, Clinical Centre, Nagyerdei krt. 98, Debrecen, H-4012, Hungary.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kollar
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Diagnostic, Interventional and Paediatric Radiology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Freiburgstrasse 10, Berne, CH-3010, Switzerland.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Heverhagen
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Diagnostic, Interventional and Paediatric Radiology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Freiburgstrasse 10, Berne, CH-3010, Switzerland; Institute of Radiology, Hospital Centre of Biel, Vogelsang 84, Biel/Bienne, CH-2501, Switzerland. Electronic address: zsolt.szuecs@szb-chb.ch.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Szucs-Farkas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D050177:Overweight / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*