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Dual-layer spectral CT was performed at different tube current settings (500, 250, 125 and 50 mAs) with a tube voltage of 120 kVp. Ex-vivo human vertebrae (n = 13) and a phantom containing different known HA concentrations were placed in a semi-anthropomorphic abdomen phantom. BMD was derived with an in-house developed algorithm from spectral-based virtual monoenergetic images at 50 keV and 200 keV. Values were compared to the HA concentrations of the phantoms and conventional quantitative CT (QCT) measurements using a reference phantom, respectively. Above 125 mAs, which is the radiation exposure level of clinical examinations, errors for phantom measurements based on spectral information were less than 5%, compared to known concentrations. In vertebral specimens, high correlations were found between BMD values assessed with spectral CT and conventional QCT (correlation coefficients > 0.96; p < 0.001 for all). These results suggest a high accuracy of quantitate HA-specific BMD measurements based on dual-layer spectral CT examinations without the need for a reference phantom, thus demonstrating their feasibility in clinical routine. |
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Bone
Computed tomography
Calibration
Spectral computed tomography
Algorithm development
