A primer on the use of dual-energy CT in the evaluation of commonly encountered neoplasms

Technical improvements in the acquisition and display of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) have made this technique increasingly applicable to clinical practice, particularly in the setting of oncologic imaging. DECT allows for qualitative and quantitative analysis of tissue composition beyond the standard anatomical evaluation possible with single-energy computed tomography. For example, DECT can be used to interrogate iodine and calcium concentrations and to increase iodine signal, which makes many pathologic processes more conspicuous and provides improved understanding of internal structure within mass lesions. A working understanding of common postprocessing DECT displays will allow radiologists to maximize the additional diagnostic information available in DECT examinations. In this article, we describe common strategies for DECT interrogation by organ system, which may improve the conspicuity and understanding of suspected malignancies.