Dual Energy Computed Tomography Collagen Material Decomposition for Detection of Lumbar Spine Disc Extrusion and Sequestration: A Comparative Study With Greyscale Computed Tomography

Purpose: To assess value of dual energy computed tomography (DECT) collagen material decomposition algorithm when combined with standard computed tomography (CT) in detection of lumbar disc extrusion and sequestration. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of all patients with acute low back pain who had a diagnosis of lumbar spine disc extrusion and/or sequestration on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (reference standard), and had undergone non-contrast DECT of the lumbar spine within 60 days of the MRI. Age and sex-matched control patients (n = 42) were included. Patients were grouped into standard, grey-scale CT only group and standard CT + DECT tendon images group. Two double-blinded radiologists reviewed both groups for presence of extrusion or sequestration. They also rated their diagnostic confidence on Likert 5-point scale. McNemar Chi-square test was used to compare diagnostic accuracy, unpaired t-test to compare reviewers diagnostic confidence, and Cohen’s k (kappa) test for interobserver agreement. Results: The combined group showed higher overall sensitivity (96.6% vs 87.2%), specificity (99% vs 95.4%), and diagnostic accuracy (98.7% vs 94.5%) with a lower false positive rate (1.1% vs 4.6%). McNemar Chi-square test confirmed statistical significance ( P = .03 and P = .02 for Reviewers R1 and R2, respectively). The mean diagnostic confidence was also significantly higher on combined group (R1: 3.74 ± 1.1 vs 3.47 ± 1.15 ( P < .01) and R2: 3.91 ± 1.15 vs 3.72 ± 1.16 [mean ± SD] ( P = .02)). Conclusion: Utilizing MRI as a reference standard, DECT tendon application combined with standard CT increases the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of detection of lumbar spine disc extrusion and sequestration, when compared to standard CT alone.