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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AJR Am J Roentgenol · Nov 2012
Dual-energy CT: a promising new technique for assessment of the musculoskeletal system.
Dual-energy CT (DECT) characterizes the chemical composition of material according to its differential x-ray attenuation at two different energy levels. Applications of DECT in musculoskeletal imaging include imaging of bone marrow edema, tendons, and ligaments and the use of monoenergetic techniques to minimize metal prosthesis beam-attenuating artifacts. ⋯ The most validated application of DECT is undoubtedly its noninvasive and highly specific ability for confirming the presence of monosodium urate deposits in the assessment of gout.