Dual-energy computed tomography: Survey results on current uses and barriers to further implementation

Author(s):  
Kirsten Elizabeth Hodgson ◽  
Elizabeth A Larkin ◽  
Marianne C Aznar ◽  
Eliana Vasquez Osorio

Objective: To gauge the current availability of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) scanners in the UK, establish available technologies, look broadly at current clinical uses in adults and paediatrics, and identify barriers to implementation and potential ways to increase use. Methods: A survey was distributed amongst 10 radiology departments and shared on two national professional co-operation mail bases; the survey ran from 20th July to 9th December 2020. It explored current DECT utilisation in adults and paediatrics as well as barriers to use and suggestions to overcome those barriers. Results: The survey demonstrated DECT availability on 39 (40%) of the 98 CT scanners, but there was limited clinical use in adults and paediatrics. Eighteen (72%) of the 25 respondents had access to at least one DECT scanner, with 14 (56%) having adult DECT protocols in clinical use; <10% head examinations and <50% for other anatomical areas. Only two (8%) respondents had DECT paediatric protocols in clinical use; <10% examinations for all anatomical areas. The main barriers to implementation identified were lack of experience with DECT (8 (44%) users (adult) and 10 (56%) users (paediatric)) and no clinical protocols available (6 (33%) users (adult and paediatric)). Understanding DECT benefits and establishing suitable protocols were the most popular suggestions for increased implementation (10 (40%) of 25 respondents). Conclusion: DECT scanners are available, but clinical use is limited for both adults and paediatrics. The main barriers identified were lack of experience with DECT and the availability of suitable protocols. Further work identified to help implementation included better education on the benefits of DECT, provision of clinical protocols and ensuring a multidisciplinary approach. Advances in knowledge: Barriers to implementation of clinical DECT protocols were identified, together with potential solutions to overcome these and enable further implementation.

2021 ◽  
pp. 20210001
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hussein ◽  
Adeyemi Akintonde ◽  
Jamie McClelland ◽  
Richard Speight ◽  
Catharine H Clark

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the current status of the clinical use of deformable image registration (DIR) in radiotherapy and to gain an understanding of the challenges faced by centres in clinical implementation of DIR, including commissioning and quality assurance (QA), and to determine the barriers faced. The goal was to inform whether additional guidance and QA tools were needed. Methods: A survey focussed on clinical use, metrics used, how centres would like to use DIR in the future and challenges faced, was designed and sent to 71 radiotherapy centres in the UK. Data were gathered specifically on which centres we using DIR clinically, which applications were being used, what commissioning and QA tests were performed, and what barriers were preventing the integration of DIR into the clinical workflow. Centres that did not use DIR clinically were encouraged to fill in the survey and were asked if they have any future plans and in what timescale. Results: 51 out of 71 (70%) radiotherapy centres responded. 47 centres reported access to a commercial software that could perform DIR. 20 centres already used DIR clinically, and 22 centres had plans to implement an application of DIR within 3 years of the survey. The most common clinical application of DIR was to propagate contours from one scan to another (19 centres). In each of the applications, the types of commissioning and QA tests performed varied depending on the type of application and between centres. Some of the key barriers were determining when a DIR was satisfactory including which metrics to use, and lack of resources. Conclusion: The survey results highlighted that there is a need for additional guidelines, training, better tools for commissioning DIR software and for the QA of registration results, which should include developing or recommending which quantitative metrics to use. Advances in knowledge: This survey has given a useful picture of the clinical use and lack of use of DIR in UK radiotherapy centres. The survey provided useful insight into how centres commission and QA DIR applications, especially the variability among centres. It was also possible to highlight key barriers to implementation and determine factors that may help overcome this which include the need for additional guidance specific to different applications, better tools and metrics.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torsten Diekhoff ◽  
Michael Fuchs ◽  
Nils Engelhard ◽  
Kay-Geert Hermann ◽  
Michael Putzier ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Henzler ◽  
Steffen Diehl ◽  
Susanne Jochum ◽  
Tim Sueselbeck ◽  
Stefan O Schoenberg ◽  
...  

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 161
Author(s):  
Masakatsu Tsurusaki ◽  
Keitaro Sofue ◽  
Masatoshi Hori ◽  
Kosuke Sasaki ◽  
Kazunari Ishii ◽  
...  

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is an imaging technique based on data acquisition at two different energy settings. Recent advances in CT have allowed data acquisitions and simultaneous analyses of X-rays at two energy levels, and have resulted in novel developments in the field of abdominal imaging. The use of low and high X-ray tube voltages in DECT provide fused images that improve the detection of liver tumors owing to the higher contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the tumor compared with the liver. The use of contrast agents in CT scanning improves image quality by enhancing the CNR and signal-to-noise ratio while reducing beam-hardening artifacts. DECT can improve detection and characterization of hepatic abnormalities, including mass lesions. The technique can also be used for the diagnosis of steatosis and iron overload. This article reviews and illustrates the different applications of DECT in liver imaging.


Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 870
Author(s):  
Saif Afat ◽  
Ahmed E. Othman ◽  
Konstantin Nikolaou ◽  
Sebastian Gassenmaier

To evaluate contrast-enhanced dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) chest examinations regarding pulmonary perfusion patterns and pulmonary opacities in patients with confirmed COVID-19 disease. Fourteen patients with 24 DECT examinations performed between April and May 2020 were included in this retrospective study. DECT studies were assessed independently by two radiologists regarding pulmonary perfusion defects, using a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 4. Furthermore, in all imaging studies the extent of pulmonary opacities was quantified using the same rating system as for perfusion defects. The main pulmonary findings were ground glass opacities (GGO) in all 24 examinations and pulmonary consolidations in 22 examinations. The total lung scores after the addition of the scores of the single lobes showed significantly higher values of opacities compared to perfusion defects, with a median of 12 (9–18) for perfusion defects and a median of 17 (15–19) for pulmonary opacities (p = 0.002). Furthermore, mosaic perfusion patterns were found in 19 examinations in areas with and without GGO. Further studies will be necessary to investigate the pathophysiological background of GGO with maintained perfusion compared to GGO with reduced perfusion, especially regarding long-term lung damage and prognosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. S85
Author(s):  
V. Rudenko ◽  
N. Serova ◽  
L. Kapanadze ◽  
M. Taratkin ◽  
Z. Okhunov ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 769-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Bayat ◽  
Opetaia Aati ◽  
Jürgen Rech ◽  
Mark Sapsford ◽  
Alexander Cavallaro ◽  
...  

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