Dual-Energy CT of Incidental Findings in the Abdomen: Can We Reduce the Need for Follow-Up Imaging?

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to review the added value of dual-energy CT for characterization of incidental lesions discovered during routine abdominal CT. Dual-energy CT allows acquisition of virtual unenhanced images, iodine maps, and virtual monochromatic images, all of which can aid in characterizing incidental lesions at the time of detection. Virtual unenhanced images and iodine maps are used for assessment of enhancement of incidental lesions, which can help differentiate suspicious enhancing lesions from benign nonenhancing lesions. Virtual monochromatic images can be obtained at low energy to improve conspicuity and detection of subtle lesions. Routine use of dual-energy CT may eliminate the need for additional imaging in the workup of some of these incidental lesions.