Neuroimaging clinics of North America
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Aug 2017
ReviewApplications of Dual-Energy Computed Tomography for Artifact Reduction in the Head, Neck, and Spine.
Conventional computed tomography (CT) uses a polychromatic energy beam to offer superb anatomic detail of the head and spine. However, technical challenges remain that can degrade the diagnostic image quality of these examinations. Dual-energy CT analyzes the changes in attenuation of soft tissues at different energy levels, from which different reconstructions can be made to yield the optimal contrast-to-noise ratio, reduce beam-hardening artifact, or evaluate tissue composition. In this article, selective applications of the dual energy CT technique are discussed, highlighting a powerful tool in the diagnostic CT evaluation of the head, neck, and spine.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Aug 2017
ReviewMiscellaneous and Emerging Applications of Dual-Energy Computed Tomography for the Evaluation of Pathologies in the Head and Neck.
Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) and its specific algorithms and applications have been increasingly recognized in clinical practice as a valuable advance in technology beyond what is possible with the established postprocessing capabilities of single-energy multidetector computed tomography, mainly because of its potential benefits regarding image quality and contrast. DECT may represent an alternative approach to purely attenuation-based imaging of the head and neck, because it provides a material-specific visualization based on spectral information. With this approach, owing to its physical properties, iodine can be assessed as a potential "biological tracer" to improve depiction of tumor conspicuity and grade of invasion.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Aug 2017
ReviewDual-Energy Computed Tomography Angiography of the Head and Neck and Related Applications.
Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) has become an increasingly widespread and useful component of the neuroimaging armamentarium, offering automated bone removal, metallic artifact reduction, and improved characterization of iodinated contrast enhancement. The application of these techniques to CT neuroangiography enables a number of benefits including more efficient 3D post-processing, contrast dose reduction opportunities, successful differentiation of hemorrhage from contrast staining following thromboembolic recanalization therapy, improved detection of active contrast extravasation in the setting of intracranial hemorrhage, and more precise characterization of atheromatous steno-occlusive disease.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Aug 2017
ReviewDual-Energy Computed Tomography: Physical Principles, Approaches to Scanning, Usage, and Implementation: Part 2.
There are increasing applications and use of spectral computed tomography or dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in neuroradiology and head and neck imaging in routine clinical practice. Part 1 of this 2-part review covered fundamental physical principles underlying DECT scanning and the different approaches for scanning. Part 2 focuses on important and practical considerations for implementing and using DECT in clinical practice, including a review of different images and reconstructions produced by these scanners and important and practical issues, ranging from image quality and radiation dose to workflow-related aspects of DECT scanning, that routinely come up during operationalization of DECT.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Aug 2017
ReviewDual-Energy Computed Tomography: Physical Principles, Approaches to Scanning, Usage, and Implementation: Part 1.
There are increasing applications of dual-energy computed tomography (CT), a type of spectral CT, in neuroradiology and head and neck imaging. In this 2-part review, the fundamental principles underlying spectral CT scanning and the major considerations in implementing this type of scanning in clinical practice are reviewed. In the first part of this 2-part review, the physical principles underlying spectral CT scanning are reviewed, followed by an overview of the different approaches for spectral CT scanning, including a discussion of the strengths and challenges encountered with each approach.