First Dual-Source CT System Provides Innovative Diagnostic Applications

A new dual-source computed tomography (CT) system acquires images of excellent quality and detail even of hearts with a high rate or irregular beat--at only half the dose of earlier CT systems.

Encouraged by the success of the worldwide first dual-source CT system, the Somatom Definition, Siemens Healthcare (Erlangen, Germany) announced the 510(k) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) market clearance of four new applications aimed at simplifying the diagnosis of diseases of the heart, brain, lungs, and extremity joints. With a dual X-ray tube and dual-detector design, the Somatom Definition routinely provides images at twice the temporal resolution, twice the speed, and twice the power of single-source systems.

The two X-ray tubes provide the system with features previously not available in diagnostic imaging. This includes the possibility of, simultaneously, operating X-ray tubes at different voltage levels (dual energy [DE]) in a single scan so that two data records with different patient information are generated, thereby displaying tissue and fluids and facilitating the differentiation of vessels, bones, and soft tissue.

One of the new dual energy applications for the Somatom Definition is syngo DE Heart PBV (perfusion blood volume), which provides color marking of nonperfused parts of the myocardium during cardiology examinations. Moreover, syngo DE Heart PBV enables the isolated display of the heart, for example, without thorax structures. The heart perfusion is examined primarily after an infarction to determine damaged areas of the organ. For the first time, DECT can detect a stenosis and its degree, as well as the location and extent of the resulting reduced perfusion in the myocardium in a single scan.

Deposits of uric acid crystals in the joints of gout patients may damage the cartilaginous and osseous substance, particularly if the disease has been chronic for several years. With syngo DE Gout, CT can now also be used for gout detection.

syngo DE Lung Vessels provides a whole series of applications to assist the physician in CT examinations of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism--a sudden occlusion of blood vessels in the lungs. The new applications enable the detection of non-perfused blood vessels and tissue of the lungs through color marking.

syngo DE Brain Hemorrhage assists in the distinction between new and old hemorrhages in the event of cerebral bleeding. The two energy levels of the X-ray tubes are used to fade out the contrast medium (CM). In the past, this had required two scans. The contrast medium subtraction provides two advantages: a noncontrast-medium enhanced examination is not necessary, and the patient is spared the dose of a second scan.

The four new dual energy applications supplement the six existing CT applications with dual energy features: syngo DE Direct Angio for the distinction of bone and vessel structures, particularly if the vessels are located directly next to the bone; syngo DE Lung PBV for perfusion assessment of the lung tissue; syngo DE Musculoskeletal for the display of ligaments and tendons; syngo DE Calculi Characterization for the automatic distinction of the biochemical composition of renal calculi (e.g., uric acid or calcium oxalate); syngo DE Hardplaque for the display of calcification in the body and determination of the vessel status; and lastly, syngo DE Virtual Unenhanced for the subtraction of contrast medium in abdominal scans.


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