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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 6/2021

01-06-2021 | Urogenital

Use of dual-energy CT for renal mass assessment

Authors: Shanigarn Thiravit, Christina Brunnquell, Larry M. Cai, Mena Flemon, Achille Mileto

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 6/2021

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Abstract

Although dual-energy CT (DECT) may prove useful in a variety of abdominal imaging tasks, renal mass evaluation represents the area where this technology can be most impactful in abdominal imaging compared to routinely performed contrast-enhanced–only single-energy CT exams. DECT post-processing techniques, such as creation of virtual unenhanced and iodine density images, can help in the characterization of incidentally discovered renal masses that would otherwise remain indeterminate based on post-contrast imaging only. The purpose of this article is to review the use of DECT for renal mass assessment, including its benefits and existing limitations.

Key Points

• If DECT is selected as the scanning mode for most common abdominal protocols, many incidentally found renal masses can be fully triaged within the same exam.
• Virtual unenhanced and iodine density DECT images can provide additional information when renal masses are discovered in the post-contrast–only setting.
• For renal mass evaluation, virtual unenhanced and iodine density DECT images should be interpreted side-by-side to troubleshoot pitfalls that can potentially lead to erroneous interpretation.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Use of dual-energy CT for renal mass assessment
Authors
Shanigarn Thiravit
Christina Brunnquell
Larry M. Cai
Mena Flemon
Achille Mileto
Publication date
01-06-2021
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 6/2021
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-020-07426-z

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