Wednesday, November 29 | 3:10 p.m.-3:20 p.m. | W7-SSCH08-2 | Room E350
Using photon-counting CT (PCCT) to conduct pulmonary angiography exams is an effective way to diagnose acute pulmonary embolism (PE) at a lower radiation dose than conventional CT, German researchers have reported.
A team led by Pauline Pannenbecker, MD, of University Hospital of Würzburg in Germany conducted a study that included 117 patients who underwent CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for suspected PE. Of these, 58 had a PCCT pulmonary angiography exam and 59 had conventional CTPA imaging. The exams were conducted with a 50 ml contrast medium protocol and scanning voltage of 120 kV (PCCT) and 150 kV (conventional CT). To determine image quality, the team assessed pulmonary artery CT attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio. It also assessed radiation dose measures such as CT dose index volume, dose length product, size-specific dose estimate, and effective dose.
The investigators found that contrast-to-noise and signal-to-noise ratios for the assessed pulmonary vessels were higher in the PCCT pulmonary angiography group and that this technique performed better in all evaluated radiation dose parameters compared to conventional CTPA (p<0.05).
"With comparable input parameters, [PCCT coronary angiography] provides higher subjective and objective image quality … [and] reduced radiation dose compared to conventional dual-energy pulmonary angiography with EID technology," the group concluded.
How did they achieve these results? Stop by this Wednesday presentation to learn more.
