Hot topic session covers 'killer apps' for spectral CT

Spectral CT is emerging as a powerful way to get more image from less dose -- with some added tricks that other CT techniques simply can't provide. This special session is dedicated to spectral imaging's growing list of uses.

CT experts examine the physics (Mats Danielsson, PhD, KTH Royal Institute of Technology) behind the phenomenon, discuss vascular imaging in the chest and abdomen using spectral imaging (Dr. Ioannis Vlahos, St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust), and show some possibilities in rendering fat (Dr. Anders Persson, PhD, Linkoping University). Dr. Dushyant Sahani from Massachusetts General Hospital wraps up with a how-to session on killer apps in spectral imaging.

"Dual-energy CT provides substantially higher intravascular iodine attenuation at low energy virtual monochromatic images, and therefore enables substantial iodine dose reduction while yielding diagnostic quality CT angiography images," Sahani told AuntMinnie.com. "Routine use of dual-energy CT for abdomen CT angiography studies is desirable for reducing patient risks from contrast-related renal adverse events while reducing the cost of contrast media."