Photon-counting versus conventional computed tomography for pulmonary nodules: a systematized review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35381/s.v.v10i2.5258Keywords:
Tomography, X-ray computed, solitary pulmonary nodule, lung neoplasms, radiation dosage, early detection of cancer, (Source: DeCS).Abstract
Low-dose computed tomography is the basis of lung cancer screening, and photon-counting detector computed tomography could improve nodule assessment. Objective: To compare photon-counting computed tomography and conventional energy-integrating detector computed tomography in the assessment of pulmonary nodules. Method: Systematized review in PubMed/MEDLINE and SciELO with predefined eligibility criteria; 6 studies were selected. Results: In patients, photon-counting computed tomography reduced dose by 16% to 55%, with less noise and better depiction of nodule borders. In phantoms, it maintained detection and volumetry with up to 90% less dose and reduced volumetric error at ultra-low doses; however, another study showed poorer detectability at 0.4 mGy. Conclusion: The technology improves image quality at a lower dose, but clinical studies demonstrating benefits in detection, diagnosis, or survival are still lacking.
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