Dual-source dual-energy CT for the differentiation of urinary stone composition: preliminary study / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate dual-source dual-energy CT(DSCT) for the differentiation of urinary stone composition in vitro. Methods Ninety-seven urinary stones were obtained by endoscopic lithotripsy and scanned using dual-source dual-energy CT. The stones were divided into six groups according to infrared spectroscopy stone analysis: uric acid ( UA ) stones ( n = 10 ), cystine stones ( n = 5 ), struvite stones( n = 6), calcium oxalate ( CaOx ) stones ( n = 22 ), mixed UA stones ( n=7 ) and mixed calcium stones(n=47). Hounsfield units (HU) of each stone were recorded for the 80 kV and the 140 kV datasets by hand-drawing method. HU difference, HU ratio and dual energy index ( DEI ) were calculated and compared among the stone groups with one-way ANOVA. Using dual energy software to determine the composition of all stones, results were compared to infrared spectroscopy analysis. Results There were statistical differences in HU difference [(-17±13), (229±34),(309 ±45), (512 ±97), (201±64)and (530±71) HU respectively], in HU ratio (0.96±0.03, 1.34 ±0.04, 1.41 ±0.03, 1.47 ±0.03,1.30±0.07, and 1.49 ±0.03 respectively), and DEI( -0.006 ±0.004, 0.064 ±0.007, 0.080 ±0. 007, 0. 108±0.011 ,0. 055 ±0.014 and 0. 112 ±0.008 respectively ) among different stone groups(F=124. 894,407.028, 322. 864 respectively, P ＜0. 01 ). There were statistical differences in HU difference,HU ratio and DE1 between UA stones and the other groups( P ＜ 0. 01 ). There were statistical differences in HU difference, HU ratio and DEI between CaOx or mixed calcium stones and the other four groups (P＜0. 01 ). There was statistical difference in HU ratio between cystine and struvite stones ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). There were statistical differences in HU difference, HU ratio and DEI between struvite and mixed UA stones (P＜0. 05 ). Dual energy software correctly characterized 10 UA stones, 4 cystine stones, 22 CaOx stones and 6 mixed UA stones. Two struvite stones were considered to contain cystine. One cystine stone, 1 mixed UA stone, 4 struvite stones and 47 mixed calcium stones were considered to contain oxalate. Conclusions DSCT has the ability to differentiate urinary stone composition in vitro. With dual energy software, the UA, cystine and mixed UA stones can be differentiated from other types of stones.