Abstract
Recent developments in spectral CT systems featuring binned photon-counting detector technology have enabled an imaging concept on a pre-clinical level that has been coined K-edge imaging. This exciting concept allows the selective and quantitative imaging of contrast media by exploiting the K-edge discontinuity in the photo-electric component of X-ray absorption. An ideal application for K-edge imaging is CT imaging of target-specific and conventional contrast agents that have been designed to be spectral-CT-visible. Current limitations in detector hardware, however, result in typically high noise levels that hamper the application of K-edge imaging. In order to battle noise and assure sufficient sensitivity, the development of dedicated K-edge contrast media in combination with advanced image processing techniques is imperative. This work attempts a comprehensive overview on how the concert of dedicated contrast media, optimized data acquisition and innovative data processing techniques improve sensitivity of K-edge imaging which will foster clinical translation of the technology.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 62-70 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Contrast Media and Molecular Imaging |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2014 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Contrast agents
- Energy-resolved CT
- K-edge imaging
- K-edge materials
- Statistical image reconstruction
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging