Andrea D'Alessio

Dr. Andrea D'Alessio


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
20 February 2024 in Applied Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
PGPasqualina Gallo
Pasqualina Gallo
ADAndrea D'Alessio
Andrea D'Alessio
RPRiccardo Pascuzzo
Riccardo Pascuzzo
Salvatore GalloSalvatore Gallo
Salvatore Gallo
MFMaria Luisa Fumagalli
Maria Luisa Fumagalli
EMElena De Martin
Elena De Martin
To quantitatively evaluate the possible advantages of quantifying and differentiating various soft tissues using virtual monochromatic images (VMI) derived from different dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) technologies. This study involved four DECT scanners with different technologies. CIRS phantom images were acquired in single-energy (SECT) and DECT modes with each scanner. The analysis focused on five equivalent soft-tissue inserts: adipose, breast, liver, muscle, and bone (200 mg). The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was calculated for each equivalent soft-tissue insert. Finally, the contrasts of tissue pairs between DECT and SECT images were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests adjusted for multiple comparisons. Average CT numbers and noise showed a significant difference pattern between DECT with respect to SECT for each CT scanner. Generally, energy levels of 70 keV or higher led to improved SNR in VMI for most of the equivalent soft-tissue inserts. However, energy levels of 40–50 keV showed significantly higher contrasts in most of the equivalent soft-tissue insert pairs. DECT images at low energies, especially at 40–50 keV, outperform SECT images in discriminating soft tissues across all four DECT technologies. The combined use of DECT images reconstructed at different energy levels provides a more comprehensive set of information for diagnostic and/or radiotherapy evaluation compared to SECT. Some differences between scanners are evident, depending on the DECT acquisition technique and reconstruction method.