Photon Counting CT: Clinical Applications and Future Developments

The use of a photon counting detector in CT (PCD CT) is currently the subject of intense investigation and development. In this review article, we will describe potential clinical applications of this technology with a particular focus on the experience of our own institution with a prototype PCD CT...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE transactions on radiation and plasma medical sciences 2021-07, Vol.5 (4), p.441-452
Main Authors: Hsieh, Scott S., Leng, Shuai, Rajendran, Kishore, Tao, Shengzhen, McCollough, Cynthia H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Clinical applications
Computed tomography
Contrast agents
Contrast media
Detectors
Energy resolution
High resolution
Iodine
Noise
photon counting X-ray detectors
Photonics
Photons
Protocols
Quantum efficiency
spectral CT
Temporal bone
Therapeutic applications
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The use of a photon counting detector in CT (PCD CT) is currently the subject of intense investigation and development. In this review article, we will describe potential clinical applications of this technology with a particular focus on the experience of our own institution with a prototype PCD CT scanner. Photon counting detectors (PCDs) have three primary advantages over conventional, energy integrating detectors (EIDs): 1) they provide spectral information without need for a dedicated dual-energy protocol; 2) they are immune to electronic noise; and 3) they can be made very high resolution without significant compromises to quantum efficiency. These advantages translate into several clinical applications. Metal artifacts, beam hardening artifacts, and noise streaks from photon starvation can be better mitigated using PCD CT. Certain incidental findings can be better characterized using the spectral information from PCD CT. High-contrast, high-resolution structures, such as the temporal bone can be better visualized using PCD CT and at greatly reduced dose. We also discuss new possibilities on the horizon, including new contrast agents, and how anticipated improvements in PCD CT will translate to performance in these applications.
ISSN:2469-7311
2469-7303
DOI:10.1109/TRPMS.2020.3020212