Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Novel In Vivo Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging Techniques for Assessing the Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Published on: March 24, 2023
Optimizing computed tomography enterography with virtual monoenergetic imaging of second-generation dual-layer
Yuqing Mao1, Yiyue Mao1, Zhichao Xu2
1The First Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
Background:
Second-generation dual-layer spectral computed tomography enterography (DLCTE) provides advanced virtual monoenergetic imaging (VMI) that may overcome conventional computed tomography (CT) enterography limitations in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to identify the optimal VMI energy level in spectral CT enterography for IBD using quantitative and qualitative image quality assessments.
Methods:
This case-control study retrospectively analyzed 44 patients with endoscopically confirmed active IBD undergoing DLCTE. Conventional polyenergetic images (PEIs) and VMIs (40-100 keV, 10-keV increments) were reconstructed across non-contrast, arterial, and venous phases. Quantitative metrics [contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), CT attenuation, image noise] and subjective image quality (5-point Likert scale) were compared between PEIs and VMIs.
Results:
Quantitative analysis revealed that VMI 40 keV achieved peak performance: highest CT attenuation values (AV) [non-contrast: 57.7±13.2 Hounsfield units (HU) vs. PEI 40.4±7.2 HU, P<0.001; arterial: 172.1±34.6 vs. 80.1±13.2 HU; venous: 200.2±46.0 vs. 88.9±19.8 HU], superior SNR [arterial: 12.5±6.1 vs. 5.7 (4.1-6.7)] and CNR [venous: 29.9 (20.0-43.4) vs. 16.2±5.4]. Despite comparable noise levels between VMI 40-50 keV and PEIs (P>0.05), VMI ≥60 keV demonstrated significantly reduced noise (P<0.001). In subjective analyses, 40 keV VMI was consistently identified as the optimal reconstruction parameter among low-energy VMIs, receiving the highest ratings for overall image quality.
Conclusions:
The dual-layer detector spectral CT low-level VMI can optimize the image quality of CTE in IBD, and is useful to evaluate the intestinal inflammatory range. Among them, the VMI 60 keV imaging has the best display and can increase the diagnostic confidence in active IBD, and it is suitable for clinical promotion and use.
More Related Videos
07:05Fluorescence-mediated Tomography for the Detection and Quantification of Macrophage-related Murine Intestinal Inflammation
Published on: December 15, 2017
09:32Time-Resolved, Dynamic Computed Tomography Angiography for Characterization of Aortic Endoleaks and Treatment Guidance via 2D-3D Fusion-Imaging
Published on: December 9, 2021
Related Concept Videos
01:26Imaging Studies III: Gastrointestinal Motility Studies and Virtual Colonoscopy
Radionuclide Testing
Radionuclide testing is a sophisticated medical technique for assessing gastrointestinal motility. It focuses on gastric emptying and colonic transit time. Radioactive markers track the movement of food through the digestive system, providing insights into gastrointestinal disorders.
In gastric emptying studies, a meal's liquid and...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
01:10Computed Tomography
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...
01:27Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
01:28Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...