Recent advances in CT scanner technology have generated a surge in popularity in Dual-Energy CT (DECT). Modern computers are better equipped for creating high-quality images quickly. These advancements have granted medical facilities and professionals the ability to provide more accurate diagnoses of a number of conditions.
If you remain unconvinced about the benefits of DECT scanners, read on. We are going to talk about some of its most important advantages and features. With no further ado, here they are:
Better Material Differentiation
DECT’s main difference from regular CT imaging is that it provides 3D information about lesions. It also uses a fourth dimension measured in Hounsfield Units (HU) and a fifth dimension that detects the densities across various spectra.
The result is an image rich in color visualization. It allows greater differentiation of various materials in the body when compared to regular CT parts and scanners. This heightened differentiation and accuracy make it easier to get more accurate results with fewer tries. For example, dense blood, metal, iodine, and calcium appear vividly in the scans.
This was a difficulty faced by older or obsolete CT systems, wherein it was difficult for radiologists and other healthcare professionals to determine whether a lesion is calcified or hemorrhaging.
Lower Contrast Material Doses
Patients with renal insufficiency or poor IV access are sometimes at a disadvantage when it comes to CT scans. Often, people suffering from these conditions need high doses of contrast material for their scans to be viable and readable.
DECT eliminates this need, as the contrast enhancement in the images is nearly three times more intense than regular scanners. The imagery is so clear that very little contrast material is needed, if at all. The technology can even reveal conditions that are hard to detect, such as hypervascular or hypovascular lesions.
Continued Development
These developments come from the UC San Francisco Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, along with the Contrast MAterial and CT Translational Research Lab. These institutions focus on developing different imaging techniques and CT parts for more efficient diagnosis of different diseases.
Many of their projects involve studies that seek to improve the imaging process by making it more accessible, reducing radiation exposure, and creating better algorithms for imaging. It has allowed better diagnosis of conditions in various parts of the body, such as the bowels and abdomen.
There are also new contrast materials in development that are designed to work in tandem with DECT. Though the technology has been in use for a long time, plenty of strides are being made every day to improve it. Essentially, an investment in DECT parts and systems is a path to future-proofing your diagnostic processes.
Final thoughts
When it comes to healthcare, it is important to have the capacity to diagnose complex internal conditions and diseases. The better and more accurate these processes are, the better the treatment can be. Not only does this make it easier for healthcare professionals, but it can also improve the patient experience as well.
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