Giorgio Ascenti • Angelo Vanzulli
Carlo Catalano • Rendon C. Nelson

2014

From Conventional to
Multi-energy Imaging

The transition from single-detector to multidetector row CT (MDCT) in the early 2000s has dramatically changed the imaging approach to abdominal organs. MDCT implies the simultaneous activation of multiple detector rows arranged along the z-axis with acquisition of interweaving helical sections. By exploiting the increased coverage along the z-axis and taking full advantage of the rapid image acquisition, body MDCT imaging relies on scanning the abdominal viscera with a multiphasic approach, before and after contrast medium administration. In particular, timing of the contrast medium bolus can be optimized for accomplishing different diagnostic abdominal tasks, including a synchronous assessment of vascular and parenchymal compartments.