Whitman GJ, Niklason LT, Pandit M, Oliver LC, Atkins EH, Kinnard O, Alexander AH, Weiss MK, Sunku K, Schulze ES, Greene RE. Dual-energy digital subtraction chest radiography: technical considerations.
Curr Probl Diagn Radiol 2002;
31:48-62. [PMID:
12077573 DOI:
10.1067/mdr.2002.122856]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In the evaluation of asbestos-related pulmonary and pleural abnormalities, conventional chest radiography has been shown to have a low sensitivity for the detection of lung nodules and subtle interstitial disease. Pleural plaques may simulate pulmonary nodules, and interstitial processes can be masked by adjacent pleural abnormalities. Dual-energy digital subtraction chest radiography may enable investigators to characterize asbestos-related pulmonary and pleural abnormalities with greater accuracy. "Soft-tissue" images, designed to remove pleural calcifications, may allow for better evaluation of the lung parenchyma. "Bone" images, designed to remove soft-tissue structures, may enhance the detection of pleural calcifications. In this pictorial essay we illustrate the methods, technical considerations, and limitations of dual-energy digital subtraction chest radiography performed with global subtraction weighting factors.
Collapse