Spectral Computed Tomography: Technique and Applications for Head and Neck Cancer

Almudena Pérez-Lara; Reza Forghani

doi:10.1016/j.mric.2017.08.001

Spectral Computed Tomography: Technique and Applications for Head and Neck Cancer

Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am. 2018 Feb;26(1):1-17. doi: 10.1016/j.mric.2017.08.001.

Authors

Almudena Pérez-Lara¹, Reza Forghani²

Affiliations

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

PMID: 29127998
DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2017.08.001

Abstract

Spectral computed tomography (CT) or dual-energy CT (DECT) is an advanced form of CT with increasing applications in head and neck radiology. This article provides an overview of the DECT technique and reviews current applications for the evaluation of neck pathology, focusing on oncologic applications. Included are an overview of the basic underlying principles and approaches for DECT scan acquisition and material characterization; a discussion of various DECT reconstructions and a brief overview of practical issues pertaining to DECT implementation, including those related to workflow impact of DECT; and a discussion of various applications of DECT for the evaluation of the neck, especially in oncology.

Keywords: Artifact reduction; Cartilage invasion; Dual-energy CT; Iodine map; Spectral Hounsfield unit attenuation curves; Squamous cell carcinoma; Virtual monochromatic images; Workflow.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Head / diagnostic imaging
Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
Humans
Neck / diagnostic imaging
Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*