title: Quantitative and Qualitative Comparison of Single-Source Dual-Energy Computed Tomography and 120-kVp Computed Tomography for the Assessment of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) between pancreatic-phase dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) and 120-kVp CT for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-eight patients underwent multiphasic pancreatic imaging protocols for PDA (40, DECT; 38, 120-kVp CT [control]). Using pancreatic phase, CNR and SNR for PDA were obtained for DECT at monochromatic energies 50 through 80 keV, iodine material density images, and 120-kVp images. Using a 5-point scale (1, excellent; 5, markedly limited), images were qualitatively assessed by 2 radiologists in consensus for PDA detection, extension, vascular involvement, and noise. Wilcoxon signed rank and 2-sample tests were used to compare the qualitative measures, CNR and SNR, for DECT and 120-kVp images. Bonferroni correction was applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Iodine material density image had significantly higher CNR and SNR for PDA than any monochromatic energy images (P < 0.0001) and the 120-kVp images. Qualitatively, 70-keV images were rated highest in the categories of tumor extension and vascular invasion and were similar to 120-kVp images.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that DECT improves PDA lesion conspicuity compared with routine 120-kVp CT, which may allow for better detection of PDA.
authors: From the Departments of *Diagnostic Radiology and †Biostatistics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
authors: Priya
authors: P
authors: Bhosale
authors: Ott
authors: O
authors: Le
authors: Aprana
authors: A
authors: Balachandran
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Fox
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Paulson
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Tamm
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D021441:Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids; C054871:ioversol