No abstract

Background-LA volume is a predictor of cardiovascular events. Information on LA volume is available on contrast-enhanced EGC-gated MDCT scans.

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the objective and subjective image characteristics of monoenergetic images (MEI[+]), using a noise-optimized algorithm at different kiloelectron volts (keV) compared to polyenergetic images (PEI), in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods This retrospective, institutional review board-approved study included 45 patients (18 male, 27 female; mean age 66 years; range, 42–96 years) with PDAC who had undergone a dual-energy CT (DECT) of the abdomen for staging. One standard polyenergetic image (PEI) and five MEI(+) images in 10-keV intervals, ranging from 40 to 80 keV, were reconstructed. Line-density profile analysis, as well as the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the tumor, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the regular pancreas parenchyma and the tumor, and the CNR of the three main peripancreatic vessels, was calculated. For subjective quality assessment, two readers independently assessed the images using a 5-point Likert scale. Reader reliability was evaluated using an intraclass correlation coefficient. Results Line-density profile analysis revealed the largest gradient in attenuation between PDAC and regular tissue in MEI(+) at 40 keV. Low-keV MEI(+)reconstructions at 40 and 50 keV increased CNR and SNR compared to PEI (40 keV: CNR 46.8 vs. 7.5; SNR Pankreas 32.5 vs. 15.7; SNR Lesion 13.5 vs. 8.6; p < 0.001). MEI(+) at 40 keV and 50 keV were consistently preferred by the observers ( p < 0.05), showing a high intra-observer 0.937 (0.92–0.95) and inter-observer 0.911 (0.89–0.93) agreement. Conclusion MEI(+) reconstructions at 40 keV and 50 keV provide better objective and subjective image quality compared to conventional PEI of DECT in patients with PDAC. Key Points • Low-keV MEI(+) reconstructions at 40 and 50 keV increase tumor-to-pancreas contrast compared to PEI. • Low-keV MEI(+) reconstructions improve objective and subjective image quality parameters compared to PEI. • Dual-energy post-processing might be a valuable tool in the diagnostic workup of patients with PDAC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00330-019-06116-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

No abstract

Background-Aortic valve calcification (AVC) is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and coronary artery calcification. We sought to determine whether AVC is associated with the presence and extent of overall plaque burden, as well as to plaque composition (calcified, mixed, and noncalcified).

No abstract

Reader agreement and diagnostic accuracy for the detection of coronary atherosclerotic plaque vary with plaque composition. Intimal thickness independently predicts detection of noncalcified plaque by CT with excellent sensitivity for >1 mm thick plaques.

The results are an overview of factors that influence stenosis quantification in simulated coronary arteries. Dual-source CT is highly reproducible and accurate for quantification of low-density stenosis in vessels with a diameter of 3 mm and attenuation of at least 200 HU for different degrees of stenosis and plaque geometry.