Role of Dual-Energy Computed Tomography in Thoracic Oncology

Abstract

Dual-energy CT (DECT) is an emerging technology that has potential to enhance diagnostic performance and radiologists' confidence in the evaluation of thoracic malignancies. DECT clinical applications include characterization of solitary pulmonary nodule, lung masses and mediastinal tumors. DECT-derived iodine uptake quantification may assist in characterization of tumor differentiation and gene expression. The use DECT in oncology has potential to improve lung cancer staging, therapy planning, and assessment of response to therapy as well as detection of incidental pulmonary embolism.

Keywords: Dual-energy CT; Iodine map; Lung cancer; Pulmonary blood volume; Pulmonary nodule; Spectral imaging; Thoracic malignancy; Virtual noncontrast image.