Image quality in the standard and RPP groups
CNR
Compared to the standard group, the 50-keV reconstruction images of the RPP group exhibited higher image contrast in both the arterial (3.09 ± 0.43 vs. 3.60 ± 0.65, respectively; p = 0.002) and portal venous phases (4.01 ± 0.49 vs. 3.21 ± 0.31, respectively; For DL-iodine boosted images, the RPP group demonstrated significantly higher image contrast, lower image noise, and better overall image quality than the standard group (
Comparison of the qualitative image analysis between the standard and RPP groupsNote: Values are given as mean ± standard deviation (range). p < 0.05 indicates a statistically significant difference. CNR = contrast-to-noise ratio, DL = deep learning, RPP = renal protection protocol, SNR = signal-to-noise ratio. In the arterial phase, the ICC was 0.574 (95% CI: 0.453–0.673) for image noise, 0.841 (95% CI: 0.80–0.878) for image contrast, 0.569 (95% CI: 0.447–0.670) for image texture, and 0.814 (95% CI: 0.762–0.858) for overall image quality. In the portal venous phase, the ICC was 0.560 (95% CI: 0.435–0.663) for image noise, 0.911 (95% CI: 0.887–0.932) for image contrast, 0.592 (95% CI: 0.476–0.687) for image texture, and 0.840 (95% CI: 0.795–0.878) for overall image quality.