Differentiation of liver abscess from liver metastasis using dual-energy spectral CT quantitative parameters

Abstract Objective To explore the value of single source dual-energy spectral CT quantitative parameters in differential diagnosis of liver abscess and liver metastatic tumor. Methods Fifty-one patients with 73 liver lesions (28 liver abscesses and 45 liver metastases) underwent plain and contrast-enhanced spectral CT scans. The fat and blood concentrations and CT values of 40–140 keV monochromatic images were measured to calculate effective atomic number (Eff-Z) and a slope (K): [CT(40 keV)-CT(140 keV)/100] for the cystic component on the plain scan images. The iodine concentration of the lesion wall on the enhanced three-phase images were measured and normalized to that of aorta for normalized iodine concentration (NIC). All of the single quantitative parameters were compared between liver abscesses and liver metastases by the independent samples t -test or Mann-Whitney U test. Statistical difference parameters between liver abscesses and liver metastases were analyzed by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The diagnostic capability was determined by calculating the area under the curve (AUC). Using binary logistics regression analysis combining the best diagnostic performance parameter in the plain and enhanced phase images. The predictive model of liver abscess was established, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed. Results There were significant differences in CT value, the slope (K), Eff-Z, blood and fat concentrations in the plain phase and NIC in the contrast-enhanced venous and delay phases between liver abscesses and liver metastases (all P Conclusion The quantitative parameters in single source dual-energy CT provide high diagnostic accuracy in differentiating liver abscesses from liver metastases.