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Review
. 2015 Jun 5:8:265-78.
doi: 10.2147/MDER.S70630. eCollection 2015.

Emerging clinical applications of computed tomography

Carlo Liguori  1 , Giulia Frauenfelder  2 , Carlo Massaroni  3 , Paola Saccomandi  3 , Francesco Giurazza  4 , Francesca Pitocco  4 , Riccardo Marano  5 , Emiliano Schena  3
Affiliations
Review

Emerging clinical applications of computed tomography

Carlo Liguori et al. Med Devices (Auckl). .

Abstract

X-ray computed tomography (CT) has recently been experiencing remarkable growth as a result of technological advances and new clinical applications. This paper reviews the essential physics of X-ray CT and its major components. Also reviewed are recent promising applications of CT, ie, CT-guided procedures, CT-based thermometry, photon-counting technology, hybrid PET-CT, use of ultrafast-high pitch scanners, and potential use of dual-energy CT for material differentiations. These promising solutions and a better knowledge of their potentialities should allow CT to be used in a safe and effective manner in several clinical applications.

Keywords: X-ray; computed tomography; dual-energy; guidance; photon-counting technology; thermometry; ultrafast scanner.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) Dual-energy CT axial image in a patient with chest pain and shortness of breath. Color-coded perfusion map demonstrates a wedge-shaped perfusion defect in the right lower lobe, coupled with an opacification defect of the proximal interlobar pulmonary artery in the weighted average CT mediastinal image. Small emboli can be seen in the left arterial pulmonary branches without parenchyma perfusion defects. (B) Dual-energy CT coronal multiplanar reconstruction in a patient with dyspnea. Color-coded perfusion map shows patchy area of reduced perfusion in the upper and lower right lobe; a weighted average CT image in the mediastinum demonstrates an incomplete obstruction of the upper and lower pulmonary artery. Minimal thrombotic obstructions in the left main pulmonary artery without perfusion alterations in the left lung can be appreciated. Abbreviation: CT, computed tomography.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Computed tomography-guided biopsy of a pulmonary nodule in a 62-year-old man. Image reconstruction on a coronal oblique plane showing an 18 gauge needle with the tip inside a solid nodule of the right lung.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(A and B) Computed tomography-guided microwave ablation of metastasis from breast carcinoma of the left iliac bone in a 54-year-old woman. The patient stands prone and the tip of a 14 gauge needle is inserted into the lesion.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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