Routine Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Scanning of the Neck in Clinical Practice: A Single-Institution Experience

Almudena Pérez-Lara; Mark Levental; Lorne Rosenbloom; Gary Wing; Reza Forghani

doi:10.1016/j.nic.2017.04.006

Routine Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Scanning of the Neck in Clinical Practice: A Single-Institution Experience

Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2017 Aug;27(3):523-531. doi: 10.1016/j.nic.2017.04.006. Epub 2017 Jun 7.

Authors

Almudena Pérez-Lara¹, Mark Levental¹, Lorne Rosenbloom¹, Gary Wing¹, Reza Forghani²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, 3755 Cote Sainte-Catherine Road, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada.
² Department of Radiology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, 3755 Cote Sainte-Catherine Road, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada; Department of Radiology, Segal Cancer Centre and Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Room C-212.1, 3755 Cote Sainte-Catherine Road, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada. Electronic address: rforghani@jgh.mcgill.ca.

PMID: 28711210
DOI: 10.1016/j.nic.2017.04.006

Abstract

There is increasing use and popularity of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in many subspecialties in radiology. This article reviews the practical workflow implications of routine DECT scanning based on the experience at a single institution where a large percentage of elective neck CTs are acquired in DECT mode. The article reviews factors both on the production (technologist) and on the interpretation (radiologist) side, focusing on challenges posed and potential solutions for seamless workflow implementation.

Keywords: Dual-energy CT; Head and neck; Material decomposition maps; Optimized DECT protocols; Radiology department productivity; Spectral CT; Virtual monochromatic images; Workflow.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Neck / anatomy & histology
Neck / diagnostic imaging*
Neck / pathology
Radionuclide Imaging
Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*