The Role of Dual-Energy Computed Tomography in Musculoskeletal Imaging

摘要

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) enables material decomposition and acquisition of virtual monochromatic images by performing 2 exposures at different energy levels. Its development has led to several interesting image processing applications that have been applied to a range of clinical entities. Bone removal in DECT angiog-raphy may be useful for detecting aneurysms adjacent to the skull base.1 Iodine maps for pulmonary embolism have shown perfusion defects in areas of vascular occlusion.2 For musculoskeletal imaging, DECT has been used to create virtual noncalcium images, to diagnose and follow the progression of gout, to create iodine maps, and to examine tendons through material decomposition techniques. Furthermore, virtual monochromatic images have also been used in musculoskeletal imaging to reduce metal artifacts when imaging patients with arthroplasty. In this article, the authors review these musculoskeletal imaging techniques with some representative cases.