Photon-counting computed tomography (PCD) has emerged in the last decade as a promising imaging tool. It works by converting X-ray photons into an electrical signal. This avoids the intermediate photodiode conversion step discovered in traditional CT scanners that use integrated energy detectors. The result particularly reduces signal power and loss at the detector site.
Although CT is still widely available, it has shown promise in research.
“Previous studies have highlighted the benefits of PCD CT in other radiology spaces, such as cardiovascular and head and neck imaging, delivered through ultra-high resolution, improved symbol quality, and subsequently increased reader’s diagnostic confidence,” said Benedikt Heidinger. , M. D. , study leader, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Dr. Heidinger and colleagues investigated the perspective of PCD CT as a method of imaging the lungs of others with persistent symptoms after COVID-19. PCD CT with traditional CT in 20 adults, with an average age of 54 years. or more persistent symptoms similar to those of COVID-19, such as cough and fatigue.
Conventional CT scans showed post-COVID-19 lung abnormalities in 15 of 20 (75%) participants. The PCD CT scan revealed more lung abnormalities in some of the participants. difficulty clearing mucus from the lungs.
“In our examination of lung abnormalities in symptomatic post-COVID patients, we were able to encounter sophisticated lung abnormalities in 10 of 20 PCD CT participants that were not seen with traditional CT,” Dr. Heidinger said. “In addition, CT PCD has the prospect of minimizing radiation dose and decreasing artifacts, which represents direct benefits for patients. “
PCD CT’s ability to stumble upon those sophisticated lung abnormalities is important, Dr. Heidinger said, because patients with persistent symptoms after COVID-19 can expand irreversible lung damage called pulmonary fibrosis. pulmonary fibrosis, but may miss sophisticated abnormalities indicative of early-stage fibrosis.
“PCD CT can help identify post-COVID patients who are at risk of developing pulmonary fibrosis in the past and better, and enable timely allocation of treatments, such as pulmonary rehabilitation, in the future,” Dr. Heidinger said.
The most accurate estimate of the severity of lung abnormalities presented through PCD CT would possibly also be for lung disease surveillance and evaluation of treatment reaction.
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