title: Increased renal cyst density on abdominal CT at 100-kVp compared with 120-kVp: a preliminary evaluation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the radiographic density of renal cysts on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans performed at tube voltages of 100 versus 120 kVp.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six renal cysts from contrast-enhanced CT performed on 21 subjects at both 120 kVp and 100 kVp were compared by Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistical testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The radiographic density (mean+/-standard deviation in Hounsfield units) of cysts was greater on 100-kVp than on 120-kVp CT scans for both 5-mm and 2-mm reconstructed slice thicknesses: 16.6+/-5.6 versus 10.9+/-4.9 and 14.1+/-5.6 versus 8.5+/-3.9, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Decrease in tube voltage significantly increases measured radiographic density of renal cysts on CT. Further studies are indicated to assess the clinical impact of lower-tube-voltage CT.
authors: Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, 169 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425. Electronic address: andrewdhardie@gmail.com.
authors: Andrew D
authors: AD
authors: Hardie
authors: Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, 169 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425.
authors: Jonathan D
authors: JD
authors: Perry
authors: Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, 169 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425.
authors: Marques L
authors: ML
authors: Bradshaw
authors: Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, 169 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425.
authors: Melissa M
authors: MM
authors: Picard
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D052177:Kidney Diseases, Cystic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Density; Hounsfield units; Kilovoltage; Renal cyst