The British journal of radiology
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To evaluate the additional value of contrast-enhanced multiphase CT in comparison with low-dose non-contrast CT in combined positron emission tomography (PET)/CT protocols for oncological imaging, we retrospectively analysed 100 patients with different malignant tumours. All patients underwent a PET/CT consisting of a multiphase CT protocol including a low-dose non-enhanced attenuation scan and an arterial and portal-venous contrast-enhanced scan followed by a whole-body PET. PET/CT studies were analysed by different categories to determine the added value of contrast-enhanced CT. ⋯ The benefit of diagnostic CT was influenced by the tumour type demonstrating the highest impact in gastrointestinal, lung and neuroendocrine tumours. Diagnostic CT changed clinical management in 21 patients (21%). Diagnostic multiphase CT as part of the combined PET/CT protocol has the potential to provide considerable additional value in specific clinical conditions with resultant change of management in a substantial proportion of patients.