Dual-Energy CT Applications in Urological Diseases

Abstract

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is a medical imaging technique that uses two different energy levels of X-rays to provide more detailed information about the composition of tissues and materials within the body. DECT technology is still relatively new but different applications have been developed for the urological field. For example, it can be used to analyze the composition of stones to determine whether they are likely to be made up of calcium oxalate, uric acid, or other minerals. This information can help guide treatment decisions, as different types of stones may require different approaches to treatment. The availability of iodine maps helps the differentiation between benign and malignant tumors of the urinary tract, including the bladder, kidneys, and ureters. The iodine maps generated by DECT can provide information on tumor vascularity, which can help in staging and determining the aggressiveness of the tumor. DECT can assess blood flow in the kidneys and detect vascular disorders such as renal artery stenosis or aneurysms. This can be critical for early detection and management of these disorders, which can reduce the risk of renal failure and improve outcomes. DECT is a valuable tool in the urological field that can provide clinicians with detailed and accurate information for the diagnosis and treatment planning of various urological conditions. In this narrative review, we propose an overview of the possible application of DECT in the field of urological diseases.

Differentiation of Hamartomas and Malignant Lung Tumors in Single-Phased Dual-Energy Computed Tomography

“…In that regard, dual-energy CT (DECT) offers several clinical benefits over single-energy CT. In CT imaging, x-rays produce a spectrum of photon energies, with the highest energy corresponding to the kilovoltage of the tube measured with aluminum or copper absorbers [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Dual-energy CT (DECT) exploits this to improve the material contrast by comparing attenuation across different energies, with virtual monochromatic images (VMIs) at 65–70 keV providing data equivalent to 120 kVp scans at one energy [ 21 ].…”

“…Dual-energy CT (DECT) exploits this to improve the material contrast by comparing attenuation across different energies, with virtual monochromatic images (VMIs) at 65–70 keV providing data equivalent to 120 kVp scans at one energy [ 21 ]. DECT excels at differentiating materials of a similar density by using the CT figures of two energy levels for improved tissue characterization [ 20 ]. This technology, which has advanced medical imaging, captures low- and high-energy images simultaneously, thereby overcoming the ambiguity of voxel values in single-energy images that may not accurately represent tissue densities or contrast agent concentrations [ 22 , 23 ].…”

“…The analysis can either be image-based for various post-processing applications or raw data-based for direct material dissection, with the choice of method depending on the hardware of the CT system [ 25 ]. Dual-energy technologies achieve this through methods such as fast switching, sequential scanning, dual-source systems or beam splitting at the source or detector [ 20 ].…”

Dual-Layer Spectral Detector Computed Tomography Quantitative Parameters: A Potential Tool for Lymph Node Activity Determination in Lymphoma Patients

“…In recent decades, CT technology has evolved from single-energy CT to dual-energy CT [12,13]. Dual-energy CT, or spectral CT, generates material-specific images based on atomic number and unique mass attenuation coefficients at different X-ray energies, improving lesion detection and characterization [12,14]. The latest innovation, dual-layer spectral detector CT (SDCT), utilizes a single X-ray tube and two detector layers to capture low-and high-energy photons simultaneously [13].…”