Addressing the obstacles to confident diagnosis:

Managing contrast and brightness impression

Because fluoroscopy means live viewing, relevant diagnostic information in the images must be visible straightaway at the correct level of brightness and contrast. Furthermore, because the human eye is very sensitive to temporal variations, the contrast and brightness impression must be stable over time. This is particularly challenging in view of the rapid temporal variations occurring in fluoroscopy, particularly with respect to:

   - The body region under examination, e.g. when examining the esophagus
   - The field-of-view, e.g. when moving the patient or modifying the collimated area
   - Areas of direct radiation
   - The distribution of the contrast agent
   - The dose level

When the dose level or the field-of-view is modified (e.g. by modifying its size, by shifting it from the body center to the periphery, or by moving the patient), Dynamic UNIQUE automatically determines the signal level in the anatomical region and maps it to an appropriate brightness level. Areas of direct radiation are reliably detected and excluded from the brightness adjustment. In contrast, simpler methods include areas of direct radiation in adjustments, resulting in dark images and obscured anatomy, as well as annoying flickering.

Optimal image stability for fluoroscopy and spot images at any time leads to comfortable viewing of high-quality images, less time needed to adapt to the luminosity, and ultimately, a smooth and efficient workflow.

Tackling indeterminate scans

Conventional CT scans often produce ambiguous or inaccurate data resulting in a need for additional testing. For example, in cases where a conventional image from a scan lacks the clarity typically provided by IV contrast, the resulting scan can be indeterminate, necessitating additional exams and resources.

IQon Spectral CT is the world’s first and only detector-based spectral CT which consistently captures spectral information without special planning or set-up.

Diagnostic certainty exists when multiple layers of spectral data allow the first exam to be the right exam, whether it’s with MonoE images, iodine images, virtual non-contrast images or Z effective images. In addition, IQon Spectral CT has been shown to reduce average scan cost.*

* Norwood, Don, MD, MBA. Economic impact of IQon for patients with renal insufficiency. 2017. Data on file.

Identifying pulmonary emboli

Small pulmonary emboli (PE) can be difficult to identify on conventional CT images alone, and perfusion defects in the area of the PE can be overlooked.

The IQon Spectral CT aids the radiologist by providing spectral results that can help identify perfusion defects. Multiple spectral results available with every patient scanned on the IQon Spectral CT can aid the radiologist in the ability to identify multiple perfusion results.

In this example, the patient presented with a suspected PE. After reviewing the conventional scan, spectral results were applied, resulting in multiple perfusion defects being identified by the radiologist in both lungs.

Faster scans, less discomfort

While PET/CT is the modality of choice for large-anatomical-area lesion detection, acquisition time for analog systems (15-20 minutes) can result in patient discomfort and associated motion artifacts that compromise image quality.

Vereos Digital PET/CT is the world's first and only true digital PET/CT system, which positions radiologists to go beyond current limitations to improve patient care. Vereos’ Digital Photon Counting technology enables uncompromised lesion detectability at 1/10th the time.* With this technology, radiologists can perform a whole body FDG study in under 5 minutes.

Given Vereos’ increased sensitivity and lesion detection in less time, radiologists may adjust acquisition times depending on their need to accommodate patient comfort.

* Zhang, J, Evaluation of speed of PET acquisition: How fast can we go? - A validation of list mode PET simulation approach with true acquisitions, SNMMI 2017.

Equivalent detectability of neck lesion at 9 sec/bed, relative to a 90 sec/bed acquisition.

Sample images acquired in a clinical study of the Vereos PET/CT system at The Ohio State University. Investigational device limited by law to investigational use.

Addressing breathing motion artifacts

Imaging of the shoulder is susceptible to breathing motion artifacts, particularly when scanning in axial orientation.

Using MultiVane XD, Philips makes it possible for the radiology staff to deliver imaging with motion reduction through robust motion correction. Its extended reconstruction algorithm analyzes and corrects blades so that image distortions due to both translational and rotational components of rigid body motion are removed. Additionally, the k-space center of blades corrupted with through-plane motion is removed to further decrease motion artifacts.

MultiVane XD makes it possible for radiologists to stick to their basic sequence optimization steps for obtaining high-quality images. By providing motion correction in short scan times, MultiVane XD delivers high resolution diagnostic images even in the case of severe patient motion.

Comparison of axial fat suppressed PD-weighted imaging with (left) and without (right) MultiVane XD in the left shoulder demonstrates imaging with MultiVane XD provides excellent image quality, even in presence of motion.