Diagnostic value of different imaging protocols of dual-layer detector spectral CT for minor kidney stones in civil aviation pilots
YANG Shan
ZHU Haifeng
WANG Yujie
WEN Jing
QIN Jun
Abstract：Objective To explore the differences in image quality,radiation dose and diagnostic efficacy of different imaging protocols based on dual-layer detector spectral CT in the differentiation of small kidney stones(diameter≤5mm)in civil aviation pilots.Methods A total of 120 civil aviation pilots with kidney stones(diameter≤5mm)who underwent enhanced CT urography with abdominal compression in our hospital from May 2024 to July 2025 were retrospectively included.They were divided into the control group and the spectral group,with 60 cases in each group.The spectral group underwent reconstruction of 40 keV and 55 keV virtual monoenergetic images(VMI),while the control group underwent reconstruction of conventional images.Using ureteroscopic electronic flexible ureteroscopy as the gold standard,image quality scores and stone detection rates were evaluated for the two groups.Results The 40 keV images were consistently identified as the optimal VMI.There was no statistically significant difference in image quality between the 40 keV images in the spectral group and the conventional images in the control group(P>0.05).The accuracy,sensitivity,and specificity for the control group were 93.22%,92.86%,and 94.12%respectively,while they were 93.86%,94.12%,and 93.10%respectively for the spectral group.Conclusion The 40 keV VMIs of the dual-layer detector spectral CT can significantly reduce the radiation dose by approximately 30%and the amount of iodine contrast agent by 50%while ensuring image quality.It has significant clinical value for small kidney stones screening in pilots.
Keywords：X-ray computed tomographyspectral CTcontrast agentkidney stonecivil aviation pilot
Publication Date：2026-02-25
Online Publishing Date：2026-03-26(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 24-29 )