Spectral CT in Oncology

Julia Sauerbeck; Gerhard Adam; Mathias Meyer

doi:10.1055/a-1902-9949

RöFo - Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der Röntgenstrahlen und der bildgebenden Verfahren, Table of Contents

Rofo 2023; 195(01): 21-29
DOI: 10.1055/a-1902-9949

Review

Spectral CT in Oncology

Article in several languages: English | deutsch

Authors

Julia Sauerbeck

Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany, Hamburg, Germany
Gerhard Adam

Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany, Hamburg, Germany
Mathias Meyer

Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany, Hamburg, Germany

Abstract

Background Spectral CT is gaining increasing clinical importance with multiple potential applications, including oncological imaging. Spectral CT-specific image data offers multiple advantages over conventional CT image data through various post-processing algorithms, which will be highlighted in the following review.

Methodology The purpose of this review article is to provide an overview of potential useful oncologic applications of spectral CT and to highlight specific spectral CT pitfalls. The technical background, clinical advantages of primary and follow-up spectral CT exams in oncology, and the application of appropriate spectral tools will be highlighted.

Results/Conclusions Spectral CT imaging offers multiple advantages over conventional CT imaging, particularly in the field of oncology. The combination of virtual native and low monoenergetic images leads to improved detection and characterization of oncologic lesions. Iodine-map images may provide a potential imaging biomarker for assessing treatment response.

Key Points:

The most important spectral CT reconstructions for oncology imaging are virtual unenhanced, iodine map, and virtual monochromatic reconstructions.
The combination of virtual unenhanced and low monoenergetic reconstructions leads to better detection and characterization of the vascularization of solid tumors.
Iodine maps can be a surrogate parameter for tumor perfusion and potentially used as a therapy monitoring parameter.
For radiotherapy planning, the relative electron density and the effective atomic number of a tissue can be calculated.

Citation Format

Sauerbeck J, Adam G, Meyer M. Onkologische Bildgebung mittels Spektral-CT. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2023; 195: 21 – 29

Key words

therapy planning - oncology imaging - lesion detection - review - CT - spectral CT

Full Text

References

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