Application of dual-energy CT in the fusion imaging of pulmonary artery，pulmonary vein，and pulmonary nodules

Abstract:

Objective：To evaluate the clinical value of dual-energy CT in the fusion imaging of pulmonary artery，pulmonary vein，and pulmonary nodules. Methods：A total of 56 patients with <3 cm-diameter ground glass nodules（GGNs） who underwent preoperative pulmonary vascular fusion imaging were randomly divided into control group（n=28） and observation group（n=28）. Routine CT scan was performed in the control group，and dual-energy CT scan and post-spectral processing were performed in the observation group. The quality of vascular images was compared between the two groups. Monoenergy data at 60 keV and 74 keV were generated from the scan data of the observation group for intra-group comparison. Results：The pulmonary artery，pulmonary vein，and pulmonary nodules were clearly displayed using 60 keV single energy imaging in 28 patients of the observation group. The relationship among the pulmonary artery，pulmonary vein，and pulmonary nodule could be clearly demonstrated by fusion imaging. The relationship among distal blood supply，reflux blood vessels，and pulmonary nodules could not be completely displayed for 7 patients in the control group. Although this relationship was visible in the other 21 patients，the structure of distal vessels was not as clear as that in the 60 keV single energy imaging group. Subjective evaluation and objective scores of the CT value and signal-to-noise ratio were significantly different between the 60 keV group and the control group，and between the 60 keV and 74 keV imaging data in the observation group （all P<0.05）. Conclusion：Dual-energy CT imaging at 60 keV monoenergy provides superior fusion of the pulmonary artery，pul－monary vein，and pulmonary nodules to conventional CT scan.