Role of Dual-Energy Computed Tomography in Thoracic Oncology

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is an emerging technology that has potential to enhance diagnostic performance and radiologists' confidence in the evaluation of thoracic malignancies. DECT clinical applications include characterization of solitary pulmonary nodule, lung masses, and mediastinal tumors. DECT-derived iodine uptake quantification may assist in the characterization of tumor differentiation and gene expression. The use of DECT in oncology has potential to improve lung cancer staging, therapy planning, and assessment of response to therapy, as well as detection of incidental pulmonary embolism.