Dual-energy digital subtraction chest radiography: technical considerations.
In the evaluation of asbestos-related pulmonary and pleural abnormalities, conventional chest radiography has been shown to have a low sensitivity for the detection of lung nodules and subtle interstitial disease. Pleural plaques may simulate pulmonary nodules, and interstitial processes can be masked by adjacent pleural abnormalities. Dual-energy digital subtraction chest radiography may enable investigators to characterize asbestos-related pulmonary and pleural abnormalities with greater accuracy. "Soft-tissue" images, designed to remove pleural calcifications, may allow for better evaluation of the lung parenchyma. "Bone" images, designed to remove soft-tissue structures, may enhance the detection of pleural calcifications. In this pictorial essay we illustrate the methods, technical considerations, and limitations of dual-energy digital subtraction chest radiography performed with global subtraction weighting factors.
Whitman
Gary J
GJ
Division of Diagnostic Imaging, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. gwhitman@di.mdacc.tmc.edu
Niklason
Loren T
LT
Pandit
Meenakshi
M
Oliver
L Christine
LC
Atkins
Elisha H
EH
Kinnard
Olga
O
Alexander
Andrea H
AH
Weiss
Michelle K
MK
Sunku
Kavitha
K
Schulze
Eric S
ES
Greene
Reginald E
RE
D000328:Adult; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods*; D013382:Subtraction Technique; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed