Table 2.
Qualitative image assessment (median scores) between 70 kVp and blended DE protocol.
| 70 kVp | Blended DE | p-Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arterial phase | |||
| Contrast enhancement | |||
| Aorta | 5.0 (0) | 5.0 (0) | N.S. |
| Renal cortex | 5.0 (1) | 4.0 (1) | <0.001 * |
| Pancreas | 4.0 (1) | 3.0 (1) | <0.001 * |
| Image noise | 3.5 (1) | 4.0 (0) | <0.001 † |
| Overall image quality | 4.0 (0) | 4.0 (1) | 0.035 * |
| Portal venous phase | |||
| Contrast enhancement | |||
| Liver | 4.0 (0) | 4.0 (1) | 0.093 |
| PV | 5.0 (1) | 4.0 (0) | <0.001 * |
| Contrast between PV and liver | 5.0 (1) | 4.0 (0) | <0.001 * |
| Image noise | 4.0 (1) | 4.0 (0) | 0.046 † |
| Overall image quality | 4.0 (0) | 4.0 (0) | 0.527 |
| Equilibrium phase | |||
| Contrast enhancement | |||
| Liver | 3.0 (0) | 3.0 (0) | <0.001 * |
| Hepatic vein (HV) | 3.0 (2) | 2.0 (1) | 0.001 * |
| Contrast between HV and liver | 3.0 (2) | 2.0 (1) | <0.001 * |
| Image noise | 3.0 (0) | 4.0 (1) | 0.004 † |
| Overall image quality | 3.0 (1) | 3.0 (0) | 0.016 * |
Note—Data are the medians (interquartile ranges). HV = hepatic vein. * The score for 70 kVp is statistically higher than that for blended DE. † The score for blended DE is statistically higher than that for 70 kVp.