Optimized Bolus Threshold for Dual-Energy CT Angiography with Monoenergetic Images: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background The bolus-tracking technique from single-energy CT has been applied to dual-energy CT (DECT) without optimization or validation. Further optimization is imperative because of a paucity of literature and differences in the attenuation profile of virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs). Purpose To determine the optimal trigger threshold with bolus-tracking technique for DECT angiography (DECTA) in a phantom study and assess the feasibility of an optimized threshold for bolus-tracking technique in DECTA at 40 keV with a 50% reduced iodine dose in human participants. Materials and Methods A phantom study with rapid kilovoltage-switching DECT was performed to determine the optimal threshold for each kiloelectron-volt VMI. In a prospective study, consecutive participants who underwent whole-body CT angiography (CTA) from August 2018 to July 2019 were randomized into three groups: single-energy CTA (SECTA) with standard iodine dose (600 mg of iodine per kilogram), DECTA with 50% reduced iodine dose (300 mg of iodine per kilogram) by using a conventional threshold, and DECTA with 300 mg of iodine per kilogram by using an optimized threshold. A trigger threshold of 100 HU at 120 kVp was used as a reference for comparison. Injected iodine doses and aortic CT numbers were compared among the three groups using Kruskal-Wallis test. Results Ninety-six participants (mean age ± standard deviation, 72 years ± 9; 80 men) were evaluated (32 participants in each group). The optimized threshold for VMIs at 40 keV was 30 HU. The median iodine dose was lower in the optimized DECTA group (13 g) compared with conventional DECTA (19 g) and SECTA (26 g) groups (P < .017 for each comparison). The median aortic CT numbers were higher in the order corresponding to conventional DECTA (655-769 HU), optimized DECTA (543-610 HU), and SECTA (343-359 HU) groups (P < .001). Conclusion The optimized trigger threshold of 30 HU for bolus-tracking technique during dual-energy CT angiography at 40 keV achieved lower iodine load while maintaining aortic enhancement. ©RSNA, 2021 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Malayeri in this issue.