Utility of virtual unenhanced images and split-bolus injection using spectral multidetector CT for the assessment of renal cell carcinoma conspicuity and radiation dose

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiation dose and renal cell carcinoma conspicuity with virtual unenhanced images and split-bolus injection from spectral multidetector CT (MDCT). Material and methods This prospective study was approved by the Ethics Committee, and informed consent was obtained. Ninety suspected patients of renal cell carcinoma diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography and CEUS were randomly divided into two groups by a radiographer. Patients of the first group underwent spectral MDCT with virtual unenhanced imaging and split-bolus injection, while patients in the second group underwent conventional unenhanced as well as tri-phasic enhanced CT. Group A (split-bolus spectral MDCT group): The contrast material was administered at a dose of 1.5 mL/kg body weight at a flow rate of 4 mL/s, with a ratio of 7 to 5 before the CT scan with an interval of 60 seconds. Virtual unenhanced images were generated using a standard three-material decomposition algorithm, and the best mono-energy (keV) was calculated to show the tumour, renal artery and renal vein. Group B (conventional tri-phasic enhanced CT group): the contrast agent was injected with a dose of 1.5 mL/kg body weight at a flow rate of 4 mL/s. The corticomedullary phase scanning was performed once the arterial CT value reached 100 HU; the nephrographic phase was scanned 60 seconds later. And the excretory phase was scanned 5 min after onset of contrast injection. The LKR (lesion kidney ratio), CNR, and CT value of the corticomedullary and nephrographic phase were measured. The opacification of the renal collection system (including calices, infundibula and renal pelvis) was scored. The radiation dose was recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test, Fisher's exact test, the Mann–Whitney U-test, and k statistics. Results There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in age, sex and body mass index (BMI), but there was significant difference in treatment methods. The best mono-energy was 58 keV for showing the tumour and renal artery and 67 keV for showing the renal vein. There were no differences in the mean attenuations of normal renal parenchyma, renal tumour, CNR, and imaging quality between true unenhanced images and virtual unenhanced images from the combined corticomedullary and nephrographic phase. The LKR of the mono-energy at 58 keV from the combined corticomedullary and nephrographic phase was significantly better than the corticomedullary phase of the conventional enhanced CT scan (0.74±0.18 vs 1.08±0.34, P<.01), but there was no difference in CNR (2.31±1.74 vs 2.79±1.83, P>.05). There were no differences in the CT values of the renal tumour, normal renal parenchyma and renal artery between the two groups (P>.05). The CT value of the renal vein at mono-energy (67 keV) (200.55±43.38) from the combined corticomedullary and nephrographic phase was higher than the conventional CT scan (140.90±42.64) in the nephrographic phase. The Kappa scores of the rate of the renal collection system for the conventional CT and spectral CT were 0.68 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.35–0.89) and 0.54 (95% CI: 0.30–0.88), respectively. The radiation dose (735±162 mGy·cm) of Group A was significantly less than that of Group B (1032±324 mGy·cm) (P<.01). Conclusion Conspicuity with virtual unenhanced imaging and split-bolus injection from spectral multidetector CT is better than or equal to the conventional three-phase enhanced CT scan in showing the RCC, renal artery and renal vein, while the radiation dose can be reduced by 28.78%.