title: Applications of dual energy computed tomography in abdominal imaging.
abstract: Dual energy computed tomography (CT) is an imaging technique based on data acquisition at two different energy settings. Recent advances in CT have allowed data acquisition and almost simultaneously analysis of two spectra of X-rays at different energy levels resulting in novel developments in the field of abdominal imaging. This technique is widely used in cardiovascular imaging, especially for pulmonary embolism work-up but is now also increasingly developed in the field of abdominal imaging. With dual-energy CT it is possible to obtain virtual unenhanced images from monochromatic reconstructions as well as attenuation maps of different elements, thereby improving detection and characterization of a variety of renal, adrenal, hepatic and pancreatic abnormalities. Also, dual-energy CT can provide information regarding urinary calculi composition. This article reviews and illustrates the different applications of dual-energy CT in routine abdominal imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of radiology, hôpitaux universitaires de Reims, avenue du Général-Koenig, 51092 Reims cedex, France. Electronic address: tlestra@chu-reims.fr.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lestra
authors.affiliation: Department of radiology, hôpitaux universitaires de Reims, avenue du Général-Koenig, 51092 Reims cedex, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mulé
authors.affiliation: Department of medical imaging, hôpital Lapeyronie, hôpitaux universitaires de Montpellier, 191, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34090 Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Millet
authors.affiliation: Department of radiology, hôpitaux universitaires de Reims, avenue du Général-Koenig, 51092 Reims cedex, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carsin-Vu
authors.affiliation: Department of medical imaging, hôpital Lapeyronie, hôpitaux universitaires de Montpellier, 191, avenue du Doyen-Gaston-Giraud, 34090 Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Taourel
authors.affiliation: Department of radiology, hôpitaux universitaires de Reims, avenue du Général-Koenig, 51092 Reims cedex, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hoeffel
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016477:Artifacts; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D065666:Mesenteric Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal / Q000379:methods*; D015900:Radiography, Dual-Energy Scanned Projection; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Computed tomography; Dual energy CT; Liver tumors; Renal tumors; Urinary stones