LOOSENING OF ENDOPROSTHESIS EXAMINED WITH MONOENERGETIC DUAL ENERGY CT

IntroductionComputer Tomography (CT) imaging has been limited to beam hardening artefacts until now. Literature has failed to describe sensitivity and specifity for loosening of endoprothesis in CTs, as metal artefacts have always influenced the diagnostic value of CTs.In recent years a new technology has been developed, the Dual Energy CT. Dual Energy CT scanners simultaneously scan with two tubes at different energy levels, most commonly 100kVp and 140kVp. Furthermore pictures gained from Dual Energy CTs are post-processed with monoenergetic reconstruction, which increases picture quality while further reducing metal artefacts.This promising technology has increased the diagnostic value preventing more radiation for the patients, for example in detection of kidney stones or to map lung perfusion. In the musculoskeletal imaging it has not been established yet and further clinical investigations are necessary.Thus the aim of this study is to describe sensitivity and sensibility for endoprothesis loosening...