Dual-energy computed tomography

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) yields precise anatomic and functional images by exploiting differences in the interactions of high- and low-energy photon spectra with different tissues' and materials' atomic components to more precisely differentiate the chemistry of tissues and disease processes than is possible with traditional single-energy CT scan acquisitions. This article introduces the history of DECT, its physical basis, scanner designs, radiation dose considerations, and postprocessing techniques. DECT's clinical applications also are described, and this relatively new imaging modality's clinical limitations and future prospects are discussed.