Pediatric Thoracic Applications of Dual-Energy Computed Tomography: Practical Tour of New Clinical Applications

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) has emerged as a valuable tool in pediatric thoracic imaging, offering enhanced tissue characterization, improved contrast resolution, and potential dose reduction. Key applications include ultra-high-pitch scanning, pulmonary embolism evaluation, congenital lung anomaly assessment, and oncologic imaging. DECT's ability to generate material decomposition and perfusion blood volume maps provides functional insights into lung perfusion and vascular abnormalities. However, motion artifacts, photon starvation, and radiation dose challenges require optimization of scanning protocols. This article reviews up-to-date imaging techniques and clinical applications, including pediatric specific considerations of DECT as well as imaging pearls, pitfalls, artifacts, and limitations of DECT.