PURPOSE:

We aimed to determine dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) characteristics of colorectal cancer and investigate effectiveness of DECT method in differentiating tumor from stool in patients with colorectal cancer.

METHODS:

Fifty consecutive patients with colorectal tumors were enrolled. Staging was performed by DECT (80–140 kV) using dual-source CT after rectal air insufflation and without bowel preparation. Both visual and quantitative analyses were performed at 80 kV and 140 kV, on iodine map and virtual noncontrast (VNC) images.

RESULTS:

All colorectal tumors had homogeneous pattern on iodine map. Stools demonstrated heterogeneous pattern in 86% (43/50) and homogeneous pattern in 14% (7/50) on iodine maps and were less visible on VNC images. Median density of tumors was 54 HU (18–100 HU) on iodine map and 28 HU (11–56 HU) on VNC images. Median density of stool was 36.5 HU (8–165 HU) on iodine map and -135.5 HU (-438 HU to -13 HU) on VNC images. The density of stools was significantly lower than tumors on both iodine map and VNC images (P < 0.001). The cutoff point of density measurement on VNC images was -1 HU with area under the curve of 1 and a sensitivity and specificity of 100%.

CONCLUSION:

Density or visual analysis of iodine map and VNC DECT images allow accurate differentiation of tumor from stool.