Plantar Plate Tear Diagnosis Using Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Collagen Material Decomposition Application:

Dual-Energy Computed Tomography and Beyond: Musculoskeletal System

Traditional monoenergetic computed tomography (CT) scans in musculoskeletal imaging provide excellent detail of bones but are limited in the evaluation of soft tissues. Dual-energy CT (DECT) overcomes many of the traditional limitations of CT and offers anatomical details previously seen only on MR imaging. In addition, DECT has benefits in the evaluation and characterization of arthropathies, bone marrow edema, and collagen applications in the evaluation of tendons, ligaments, and vertebral discs. There is current ongoing research in the application of DECT in arthrography and bone mineral density calculation.

Dual energy computed tomography evaluation of skeletal traumas

Skeletal traumas are among the most common routine challenges faced by Emergency Radiologists, in particular in case of radiographically occult nondisplaced fractures or in case of soft tissue injuries. With the development of Dual Energy Computed Tomography (DECT) technology, new post-processing applications have gained a useful diagnostic role in many fields of musculoskeletal imaging including acute skeletal trauma imaging. In addition to conventional CT images, DECT allows for the generation of virtual calcium-suppressed images subtracting calcium from unenhanced CT images based on the fact that material attenuation varies at different energy levels. In this way, virtual-non-calcium (VNC) images can precisely characterize traumatic bone marrow edema in both axial and appendicular skeleton, facilitating prompt clinical decision, especially when magnetic resonance method is contraindicated or unavailable. Other DECT emerging applications in the trauma setting include metal artifact reduction and collagen mapping for the evaluation of injuries affecting ligament, tendon, and intervertebral disk. This review focuses on the basic principles of DECT and related post-processing algorithms, highlighting the current advantages and limitations of these new imaging advances in the Emergency Department related to skeletal traumas.

Dual-Energy CT for the Musculoskeletal System

The principal advantages of dual-energy computed tomography (CT) over conventional CT in the musculoskeletal setting relate to the additional information provided regarding tissue composition, artifact reduction, and image optimization. This article discusses the manifestations of these in clinical practice-urate and bone marrow edema detection, metal artifact reduction, and tendon analysis, with potential in arthrography, bone densitometry, and metastases surveillance. The basic principles of dual-energy CT physics and scanner design will also be discussed. ^© RSNA, 2016.

Dual-Energy Computed Tomography: Advantages in the Acute Setting

The aim of this article is to inform and update emergency radiologists in respect of the clinically relevant benefits that dual-energy computed tomography (CT) contributes over conventional single-energy CT in the emergency setting using practical imaging examples. Particular emphasis will be placed on acute gout, bone marrow edema, acute renal colic, acute cardiovascular and neurovascular emergencies aswell as characterization of abdominal incidentalomas. The relevant scientific literature will be summarized and limitations of the technique also will be emphasized to provide the reader with a rounded concept of the current state of technology.