Citations

Background: Assessing craniocervical fibromuscular dysplasia (cc-FMD) can be challenging using cross-sectional imaging. We hypothesize that photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT), owing to its superior spatial resolution over conventional energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT), may better help appreciate changes in cc-FMD. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cohort, 24 patients with radiologically reported cc-FMD (mean age: 54 y; 75% women) underwent both PCD-CT and EID-CT within 180 days (median: 52 d). Bilateral internal carotid (ICA) and vertebral artery (VA) segments without dissection/occlusion were graded on a 3-point scale (absent/likely present/present). Intermodality agreement was evaluated with weighted Cohen κ, and radiation dose metrics (CTDIvol) were compared using the paired Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results: Eighty-seven paired segments were analyzed. PCD-CT detected FMD in 48 segments (55.1%) versus 30 (34.5%) on EID-CT. The mean reader confidence scores were consistently higher with PCD-CT compared with EID-CT, for both ICAs (2.16±0.95 vs. 1.93±0.99) and VAs (1.86±0.95 vs. 1.36±0.75). Intermodality agreement was almost perfect for ICAs (κ=0.807) and substantial for VAs (κ=0.662). Under our institutional protocols, median CTDIvol was lower with PCD-CT (16.6 mGy) than EID-CT (21.5 mGy; P =0.0112). Conclusion: PCD-CT demonstrated more frequent reader categorization of cc-FMD features than EID-CT, particularly in the VAs, and had a lower median CTDIvol under our institutional protocols. These preliminary findings suggest improved cc-FMD detection with PCD-CT as compared with EID-CT and require prospective, reference-standard validation to establish accuracy and clinical impact.

Abstract Photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) directly detects individual photons and measures their energies, enabling the acquisition of multi-energy data from a single x-ray source with higher spatial resolution, thereby allowing visualization of smaller arteries and veins and other important imaging features not seen at conventional CT. It also substantially reduces calcium and stent blooming artifacts. Appropriate patient selection and task-based optimization of acquisition, reconstruction, and interpretation are critical to realize these benefits. Vascular imaging examinations for which early evidence shows that PCD-CT demonstrates higher diagnostic performance compared to conventional CT include coronary CT angiography (CTA) for evaluation of partially calcified plaques or stents, peripheral runoff CTA, detection of cerebrospinal fluid-venous fistulas, and head CTA for evaluation of small intracranial vessels and aneurysms. Current limitations include excessive image noise with the sharpest reconstruction kernels and challenges when adapting conventional CT protocols (eg, requiring sharper kernels, thinner slices, higher matrices, tailored scan modes) to achieve time-efficient image reconstruction and hanging protocols. New solutions and directions will include deep-learning-based image noise reduction, improved spectral separation, strategic triage of specific patient populations to PCD-CT systems, and subspecialty clinical practice recommendations for this new technology.

Abstract Dysphagia is defined as a subjective sensation of difficulty swallowing and can result from oropharyngeal or esophageal etiologies based upon patient symptoms. Dysphagia affects approximately 16% of adults in the general population, with prevalence increasing with age. Esophagogastroduodenuoscopy (EGD) is initially performed to assess for structural abnormalities resulting in esophageal dysphagia. However, if EGD reveals no pathologic abnormalities, high-resolution manometry (HRM) and barium esophagography are performed in order to assess for underlying causes of dysmotility. Esophageal motility disorders (EMDs) are an underrecognized cause of dysphagia and can be characterized by impaired esophageal peristalsis or lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction. High-resolution manometry (HRM) measures key metrics such as integrated relaxation pressure (IRP), which is the deglutitive relaxation across the LES, and metrics of esophageal body peristalsis based on distal contractile integral (DCI) and distal latency (DL). The Chicago Classification version 4 (CCv4.0), published in 2021, provides a standardized classification scheme for differentiating EMDs using metrics from HRM. Additionally, barium esophagography has remained an important adjunctive diagnostic modality, as this may identify strictures, neoplasms, or hiatal hernias, but can also identify major motility disorders such as achalasia and distal esophageal spasm. The combined use of HRM with timed barium esophagram can enhance the diagnostic accuracy of EMDs, particularly when HRM demonstrates inconclusive findings. Therefore, radiologists should be familiar with how imaging findings from barium esophagram integrate with findings noted on HRM. The aim of this review is to highlight the findings of EMDs noted on HRM in conjunction with barium esophagography, thereby illustrating characteristic patterns of primary and secondary EMDs.

Aberrant internal carotid arteries (ICA) are congenital vascular anomalies that occur from involution of the cervical portion of the ICA, which leads to enlargement of the normally small collateral inferior tympanic and caroticotympanic arteries. The inferior tympanic artery is a branch of the external carotid artery, usually the ascending pharyngeal artery, which extends through the inferior tympanic canaliculus (ITC), a small foramen located along the cochlea promontory. Aberrant ICAs can also be associated with a persistent stapedial artery (PSA), which is an abnormal vessel that arises from the petrous ICA and passes through the obturator foramen of the stapes. An aberrant ICA is a very important anomaly to recognize on imaging. Accurately describing its presence is important to help prevent iatrogenic injury during intervention. It is also important to distinguish an aberrant ICA from a lateralized ICA. The improvement of spatial resolution with photon counting detector (PCD)-CT has been proven to provide higher performance in detection of sub-centimeter vascular lesions compared to conventional energy-integrated detector (EID)-CT. PCD-CT also provides superior visualization of small skull-based foramina such as the inferior tympanic canaliculus, which can aid in more accurately characterizing an aberrant ICA (variant course without ITC involvement).

Aberrant internal carotid artery (ICA) is a vascular anomaly in which a segment of the ICA courses through the middle ear. The association of aberrant ICAs and pseudoaneurysm formation is not well known and can be an important finding to recognize on imaging. In this series, we present three cases of aberrant ICAs having asymmetric contour deformities consistent with pseudoaneurysms diagnosed utilizing CT of the temporal bone.

Abstract Photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) represents a significant advancement in medical imaging, particularly for musculoskeletal (MSK) applications. Its primary innovation lies in enhanced spatial resolution, which facilitates improved detection of small anatomical structures such as trabecular bone, osteophytes, and subchondral cysts. PCD-CT enables high-quality imaging with reduced radiation doses, making it especially beneficial for populations requiring frequent imaging, such as paediatric patients and individuals with multiple myeloma. Additionally, PCD-CT supports advanced applications like bone quality assessment, which correlates well with gold-standard tests, and can aid in diagnosing osteoporosis and assessing fracture risk. Techniques such as spectral shaping and virtual monoenergetic imaging further optimize the technology, minimizing artefacts and enhancing material decomposition. These capabilities extend to conditions like gout and haematologic malignancies, offering improved detection and assessment. The integration of artificial intelligence could enhance PCD-CT’s performance by reducing image noise and improving quantitative assessments. Ultimately, PCD-CT’s superior resolution, reduced dose protocols, and multi-energy imaging capabilities will likely have a transformative impact on MSK imaging, improving diagnostic accuracy, patient care, and clinical outcomes.

Abstract Quantitative computed tomography (CT) enables the measurement of biophysical processes characterized by morphology, composition, flow, and/or motion to aid in clinical diagnosis and intervention. Since its initial application for determining bone mineral density for skeletal fragility assessment, quantitative CT has continued to evolve alongside CT’s technological advancements. A key challenge facing quantitative CT is the lack of standardization pertinent to image acquisition, reconstruction, and image analysis. With the introduction of spectral CT involving dual-energy approaches and photon-counting detectors (PCD), we are now able to obtain detailed information regarding mass densities of endogenous and exogeneous materials. Furthermore, energy-resolved CT yields spectral image types (eg, virtual monoenergetic image) that are, in principle, independent of tube potential and patient size. This paves the way for workflow standardization and helps improve the consistency and reproducibility of CT-derived measurements. In this article, we review clinical applications of quantitative CT, discuss key challenges associated with quantitative CT and its adoption into routine practice, and outline the unique benefits ushered by new CT technologies such as PCD-CT towards improving quantitative imaging.

Abstract Appendiceal intussusception is a rare condition characterized by the telescoping or invagination of a portion or the entire appendix into the caecum or within the appendix itself. Diagnosing appendiceal intussusception can be challenging due to its rarity, non-specific symptoms, and lack of awareness among physicians. We present a case report of appendiceal intussusception caused by endometriosis presenting with recurrent abdominal pain in a young female that was initially missed on CT scan and laparoscopy and eventually diagnosed on CT enterography.