Ces radiol. 2008, 62(1):11-22

Tissue imaging with dual-energy computed tomography - initial clinical experienceTechnical Innovation

Jiří Ferda¹, Thomas Flohr², Boris Kreuzberg¹

¹ Radiodiagnostická klinika LF UK a FN, Plzeň

² Siemens Medical Sotutions, CT Division, Forchheim, Germany

Introduction of the dual-source CT involved the cardiac imaging initially. In cardiac imaging, the both roentgen tubes use the same tube voltages. If tubes exploit different voltages - 80 and 140 kV - the material differentiation according its different absorptions during exposition of the X-rays of two different energies is enabled. Physical-chemical analysis of the material using dual-energy CT (DECT) could be used for detection and quantification of the chemical elements' content in the tissue. Contemporary, the analysis of calcium and iodine content in the material are more advanced applications of the DECT. According to iodine special behavior, DECT tissue analysis is able to determine the iodine content in the tissue. During the dual-energy post-processing, the density could be divided in two values - related to the tissue (virtual non-enhanced) and related to the iodine content. The tissue density analysis called tissue decomposition makes possible evaluation of the tissue vascularisation or perfusion of the lung parenchyma. The examples of the calcium-related analysis are differentiation of the several types of kidney stones and calcified tissue elimination from CT-angiographic studies.
The article summarizes the initial own experience with 357 performed DECT examinations. The quantitative analysis of the iodine content in the tissue exhibited the most effective application of DECT in solid organs, especially in detection of the hyper-vascularized tumorous infiltration. The perfusion defects caused by pulmonary embolism were clearly demonstrated. The calcium elimination in CT-angiography was helpful in head and neck studies and also in abdominal region. No additional advantage showed DECT in imaging of peripheral arteries.

Keywords: CT-angiography, dual-energy CT, iodine, lung perfusion, kidney stone

Grants and funding:

Práce byla podpořena výzkumným záměrem MSM 0021620819.

Accepted: February 1, 2008; Published: March 1, 2008  Show citation