Clinical value of dual-energy CT Volume software in quantitative analysis of urate crystals / 实用放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess the clinical value of dual-energy CT (DECT) Volume software in quantitative analysis of urate crystals.Methods The DECT data of 60 gout patients based on the American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria were analyzed retrospectively.The volumes of urate crystals were quantitatively analyzed by using Volume software with two senior radiologists.The results were statistically analyzed.Results Seventy-two joints of 60 gout patients were scanned by DECT.40 of 43 joints had urate crystals in foot and ankle with the average volume of (0.621±0.742) cm3;18 of 19 joints had urate crystals in knee with the average volume of (0.842±1.086) cm3;10 of 10 joints had urate crystals in hand and wrist with the average volume of (0.796±0.583) cm3.There was no statistical difference for volume measurement between two doctors (P>0.05).The volumes of urate crystals in 4 patients with regular medication were reduced.Conclusion Volume software of DECT can quantitatively analyze urate crystals with a good repeatability, which has high application value in clinical diagnosis and treatment monitoring of gout.