AJR. American journal of roentgenology
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Various applications for dual-energy CT (DECT) have been investigated and have shown substantial clinical benefits. However, only limited data are available regarding the radiation dose associated with DECT imaging. The purpose of this article is to review the available literature regarding the radiation dose associated with DECT imaging applications in comparison with conventional single-energy CT techniques. ⋯ The rediscovery of DECT and the increasing availability of this technique on clinical CT systems have opened new dimensions for CT. The advanced spectral differentiation of materials within the human body as well as the selective visualization or subtraction of iodinated contrast material or xenon provides both advanced visualization of disease-specific molecular substrates as well as additional functional information within a single scan.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Nov 2012
Comparative StudyWhole-body diffusion-weighted MRI compared with (18)F-NaF PET/CT for detection of bone metastases in patients with high-risk prostate carcinoma.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of whole-body diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) and (18)F-NaF PET/CT for detection of bone metastases in patients with high-risk prostate cancer. ⋯ We believe (18)F-NaF PET/CT is a sensitive modality for detection of bone metastases caused by prostate cancer. Whole-body DWI shows a higher specificity but lower sensitivity than (18)F-NaF PET/CT. Future studies with a larger patient cohort along with analyses of costs and clinical availability are needed before implementation of these methods can be considered.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Nov 2012
PET/CT of cancer patients: part 2, deformable registration imaging before and after chemotherapy for radiation treatment planning in head and neck cancer.
The purpose of this perspective is to discuss the use of deformable registration as a tool for image fusion to integrate information from PET/CT scans obtained before and after chemotherapy to assist definition of radiation targets in the management of head and neck cancer. ⋯ The consistent method for target delineation described capitalizes on the capability of deformable registration to compensate for changes in position and accurately represent evolving spatial relationships between normal anatomy and areas at risk of disease.
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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Nov 2012
High-resolution CT findings in fibrotic idiopathic interstitial pneumonias with little honeycombing: serial changes and prognostic implications.
This retrospective study evaluates serial changes of lung abnormalities on high-resolution CT (HRCT) and clarifies prognostic determinants among CT findings in fibrotic idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) with little honeycombing. ⋯ Even in cases of fibrotic IIP with little honeycombing, serial CT reveals an increase in the extent of honeycombing and reticulation and a decrease in extent of GGO. Overall extent of lung fibrosis on the baseline CT examination appears predictive of survival in fibrotic IIP with little honeycombing.
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The purpose of this article is to give a brief overview of the technical background of dual-energy CT (DECT) imaging and to review various DECT applications in the abdomen that are currently available for clinical practice. In a review of the recent literature, specific DECT applications available for abdominal organs, liver, pancreas, kidneys including renal stones, and adrenal glands, will be discussed in light of reliability and clinical usefulness in replacing true unenhanced imaging, increased lesion conspicuity, iodine extraction, and improved tissue/material characterization (e.g., renal stone composition). Radiation dose considerations will be addressed in comparison with standard abdominal imaging protocols. ⋯ Modern DECT applications for the abdomen expand the use of CT and enable advanced quantitative methods in the clinical routine on the basis of differences in material attenuation observed by imaging at two different distinct photon energies.