Feasibility of Dual-Energy CT in the Arterial Phase: Imaging After Endovascular Aortic Repair

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to investigate replacing unenhanced and arterial single-energy CT acquisitions after endovascular aneurysm repair with one dual-energy CT arterial acquisition.SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Thirty patients underwent arterial dual-energy CT (80 and 140 kVp) and venous single-energy CT (120 kVp) after endovascular aneurysm repair, and the radiation doses were compared with those of a standard triple-phase protocol. Both virtual unenhanced and arterial images were generated with dual-energy CT. Images were reviewed clinically for detection of endoleaks and evaluation of stent and calcium appearance. The aortic luminal attenuation on virtual unenhanced CT images was compared with that on previously acquired true unenhanced images. Virtual unenhanced, arterial, and venous images were compared for thrombus attenuation. Single-energy CT and dual-energy CT images were compared for noise.RESULTS. Replacement of two (unenhanced, arterial) of three single-energy CT acquisitions with o...