Dual-energy CT quantification of fractional extracellular space in cirrhotic patients: comparison between early and delayed equilibrium phases and correlation with oesophageal varices

Fractional extracellular space has been validated as a marker of hepatic fibrotic in cirrhotic patients at CT-scan as well as on dual-energy CT, which takes advantage from iodine uptake. Since no consensus still exists between equilibrium phases performed at 3 or 10 min, the first aim of this work is to evaluate performances at the two different time points. Moreover, correlation between fractional extracellular space and oesophageal varices, directly related to liver fibrosis, has been assessed.