Interscanner and Intrascanner Comparison of Virtual Unenhanced Attenuation Values Derived From Twin Beam Dual-Energy and Dual-Source, Dual-Energy Computed Tomography

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the reliability and comparability of virtual unenhanced (VUE) attenuation values derived from scans of a single-source, dual-energy computed tomography using a split-filter (tbDECT) to a dual-source dual-energy CT (dsDECT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, comparisons for tbDECT and dsDECT were made within and between different dual-energy platforms. For the interscanner comparison, 126 patients were scanned with both scanners within a time interval of 224 ± 180 days; for the intrascanner comparison, another 90 patients were scanned twice with the same scanner within a time interval of 136 ± 140 days. Virtual unenhanced images were processed off of venous phase series. Attenuation values of 7 different tissues were recorded. Disagreement for VUE HU measurements greater than 10 HU between 2 scans was defined as inadequate. RESULTS: The interscanner analysis showed significant difference between tbDE and dsDE VUE CT values (P 0.05). However, intrascanner disagreements for the VUE HU measurements greater than 10 HU were recorded in 10% of patients scanned on the tbDECT and 0% of patients scanned on the dsDECT. The organs with the highest portion of greater than 10 HU errors were the liver and the aorta (both 20%). CONCLUSIONS: Dual-energy techniques vary in reproducibility of VUE attenuation values. In the current study, tbDECT demonstrated higher variation in VUE HU measurements in comparison to a dsDECT. Virtual unenhanced HU measurements cannot be reliably compared on follow-up CT, if these 2 different dual-energy CT platforms are used.