title: [Optimal monochromatic images of abdominal arteries with low concentrations of contrast agents in spectral computed tomography imaging].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the application of optimal monochromatic images according to computed tomography (CT) values of conventional CT scans with high concentration contrast agent and the feasibility in guiding abdominal arteries imaging with low concentration contrast.
  
  
  METHODS
  From March 2013 to February 2014, 160 patients of suspected celiac disease with a body mass index (BMI) of >25 kg/m(2) underwent spectral CT scan. And they were randomly divided into two groups. In group A (n = 61), 270 mgI/ml low concentrations of contrast agents and spectral CT imaging; in group B (n = 99), 350 mgI/ml high concentrations of contrast agents and 120 kVp scan. For CT values of the first measurement of abdominal aorta B group of patients, the average CT value was calculated . The optimal monochromatic images of group A according to CT values of group B were reconstructed and 70 keV images (group C) also reconstructed. The CT values of hepatic, splenic, right renal and superior mesenteric arteries were measured and contrast to noise ratios (CNRs) calculated. CT values and CNR were compared through t test on independent samples. P > 0.05 indicated no significant difference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean CT value of abdominal aorta was (422 ± 65) HU in group B. And optimal keV was (67 ± 5) keV in group A. CT values of abdominal aorta and its branches showed no statistical significance; the CNRs of abdominal aorta and its branches showed statistical significance. The scoring consistency between two observers was excellent and the score (4.1 ± 0.9 vs 4.2 ± 0.7) showed no significant difference (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GSI abdominal scans with low concentration contrast may obtain better image qualities compared to conventional CTA of high concentration. And (67 ± 5) keV is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China.
authors.forename: Anliang
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China. Email: cjr.liuailian@vip.163.com.
authors.forename: Ailian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China.
authors.forename: Shifeng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China.
authors.forename: Jinghong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China.
authors.forename: Heqing
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China.
authors.forename: Yijun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China.
authors.forename: Renwang
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China.
authors.forename: Xiaofeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D001012:Aorta, Abdominal; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media