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Validation of virtual non-contrast imaging and related metrics with variable iodine concentrations and flow rates in
Masami Tashiro1, Toshinori Shoji2, Masaki Saito3
1Department of Radiological Sciences, School of Health Science, Fukushima Medical University.
Objectives:
To validate virtual non-contrast (VNC) imaging accuracy and related dual-energy CT (DECT) metrics (CT, CM, and iodine density values) under varied iodine concentrations and flow rates using a phantom model.
Methods:
Iodine solutions (3.7-18.5 mg I/mL) were circulated through a phantom at five flow rates (120-500 mL/min). DECT scanning (SOMATOM go.Top) was performed three times per condition. Four metrics were measured from ROIs on ten central slices per scan (n = 3 per condition ; N = 75). Two-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test were applied (α = 0.05).
Results:
Iodine concentration was the predominant determinant for all metrics (p < .001). VNC values showed a consistent negative deviation that increased with concentration and high variability across conditions. A significant interaction between concentration and flow rate was observed for iodine density (p = .019), indicating that flow dynamics affect material decomposition. CT, CM, and iodine density values showed stable, predictable responses.
Conclusion:
VNC accuracy is compromised at high iodine concentrations, with flow-related disturbances introducing additional instability via material decomposition errors. Flow dynamics should be considered when interpreting VNC imaging, particularly in arterial-phase CTA.
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