Clinical applications of dual-energy CT in head and neck imaging.

Dual-energy CT provides insights into the material properties of the tissues and can differentiate between tissues that have similar attenuation on conventional, single energy CT imaging. It has several useful and promising applications in head and neck imaging that an otolaryngologist could use to deliver improved clinical care. These applications include metal artifact reduction, atherosclerotic plaque and tumor characterization, detection of parathyroid lesions, and delineation of paranasal sinus ventilation. Dual-energy CT can potentially improve image quality, reduce radiation dose, and provide specific diagnostic information for certain head and neck lesions. This article reviews some current and potential otolaryngology applications of dual-energy CT.