Dual-energy CT systems: technical aspects and selected clinical applications†

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Computed Tomography

Background:

• Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) technology has evolved since 2006.
• Various DECT systems exist, including sequential acquisition, rapid-switching, dual-source, twin-beam, dual-layer, and photon counting CT.
• All DECT techniques rely on acquiring at least two datasets to derive material-specific information.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explain the theoretical basis of DECT.
• To describe different DECT systems, including their strengths and weaknesses.
• To highlight clinical applications of DECT.

Main Methods:

• Review of DECT principles and technological advancements.
• Comparison of different DECT acquisition methods.
• Summary of clinical use cases.

Main Results:

• DECT enables material-specific analysis within image voxels.
• Key applications include iodine evaluation, gastrointestinal bleeding assessment, bone marrow edema detection, renal stone characterization, and vascular stenosis evaluation.
• Different DECT techniques offer varying strengths and weaknesses.

Conclusions:

• DECT provides valuable material-specific information for various clinical scenarios.
• Understanding DECT principles and system variations is crucial for radiologists.
• DECT is a versatile tool with expanding clinical utility in medical imaging.