What diseases does a 2-level CT Scanner detect?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Tong Diu Huong - Radiologist - Department of Diagnostic Imaging - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
The 2-energy CT Scanner is a method of applying the distinguishing feature of matter components based on the difference of 2 energy levels. This technique is often used to detect and characterize lesions, distinguish urinary stones, evaluate pulmonary perfusion, some diseases of bones, joints or nervous system...

1. What is the 2-level CT Scanner technique?

The 2-energy CT Scanner technique is a new development of CT scanning technology. Usually, routine CT will use only a single beam and the resulting image. However, in the CT Scanner technique, the image energy level is created from two energy levels and two voltage levels, usually 80 and 140 kVp to create the largest spectral difference.
Specifically, at these two energy levels, special materials in the human body will have different X-ray absorption to create differential diagnostic images. However, for a 2-energy CT Scanner, a scanner with two energy levels is required to transmit and receive them. Therefore, the 2-energy CT Scanner technique will support a more specific analysis of the nature of the pathological lesion.

2. What diseases does the 2-level CT Scanner detect?

Currently, the 2-energy CT Scanner technique is often used by doctors in the diagnosis or detection and treatment of a number of human diseases such as:
CT Scanner with 2 energy levels to detect and distinguish different types of kidney stones Normally, kidney stones can be clearly shown on conventional CT Scanner and 2-energy CT Scanner. However, the special thing about the 2-energy CT Scanner technique is that it will accurately distinguish the 3 most common types of kidney stones. The three types of kidney stones are uric acid stones, calcium stones, and struvite. From there, the doctor will have a suitable treatment plan for the patient to remove the stone.
2 energy level CT Scanner to screen and diagnose Gout Osteoarthritis With imaging technology by 2 energy level CT Scanner will assist doctors in diagnosing and evaluating crystal deposition urate in joints. With the advantages that this technique brings, it will help to detect the risk of gout early. At the same time, this imaging technique is also used for monitoring in the treatment of gout.
CT Scanner with 2 levels of energy to assist in the detection of brain hemorrhage When a brain hemorrhage is suspected, the routine CT Scanner technique can miss bleeding or some cases of misdiagnosed bleeding. Brain. Therefore, the 2-energy CT Scanner technique can help distinguish true brain hemorrhage from increased CT attenuation that is not due to cerebral hemorrhage.
2-energy CT Scanner to detect and evaluate pulmonary embolism When using 2-energy CT Scanner technique, it will result in abnormal images of pulmonary parenchymal perfusion and degree of embolism pulmonary blood. Therefore, this technique is often combined with pulmonary perfusion CT and morphological imaging of lung parenchyma to properly diagnose complex lung diseases.
Two-energy CT Scanner to detect bone contusion Two-energy CT Scanner can help assess bone contusion and distinguish it from other bone lesions that conventional CT scans cannot.

3. CT Scanner procedure with 2 energy levels

The process of CT Scanner with 2 energy levels is similar to that of conventional CT Scanner, the difference in these 2 techniques is that the 2 energy level CT Scanner has a device that emits and receives 2 levels of X-ray energy. CT Scanner with 2 energy levels is conducted as follows:
Step 1: Instruct the patient to fast 4-6 hours before the scan, drink a moderate amount of water before 2 hours (non-urgent case). Before taking off clothes and wearing a hospital gown. Then ask the patient to remove all metal objects on the body such as: clothes with metal frames, dentures, watches, glasses, hairpins or hearing aids, etc. Contrast will explain the risks and note before and after the injection so that the imaging process can be conducted in the most convenient way. Next, the patient will be tested for kidney function, and taking a history of allergies to the doctor. Step 2: After preparing, the patient will be taken to the CT scanning room. The doctor or technician instructs the patient to lie in the correct position for the scan, usually the CT scan position is usually lying on the back on the scanner table. Ask the patient to lie still and follow the doctor's instructions. However, in case the patient is stressed, has difficulty maintaining the position during the scan or has an unusual reaction after injecting the contrast agent, it is necessary to inform the doctor. Step 3: The process of CT Scanner 2 energy levels takes place very quickly, only about 3-5 minutes. Therefore, after the scan is completed, the unprepared CT scan patient can eat, drink and live normally. But if people have to inject contrast, they need to keep the intravenous line and monitor the side effects of the drug for about 30 minutes, then the patient can go home and drink lots of water to eliminate the drug from the body as quickly as possible. . The results of the scan will be explained by the doctor within a day or take a long time if the medical condition is complicated. Thus, the 2-energy CT Scanner technique is effective in diagnosis and evaluation for a number of diseases and lesions. The imaging procedure is also not more complicated than a conventional CT scan, so patients will be assigned to perform this technique when needed.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the leading prestigious hospitals in the country, trusted by a large number of patients for medical examination and treatment. Not only the physical system, modern equipment: 6 ultrasound rooms, 4 DR X-ray rooms (1 full-axis machine, 1 light machine, 1 general machine and 1 mammography machine) , 2 DR portable X-ray machines, 2 multi-row CT scanner rooms (1 128 rows and 1 16 arrays), 2 Magnetic resonance imaging rooms (1 3 Tesla and 1 1.5 Tesla), 1 room for 2 levels of interventional angiography and 1 room to measure bone mineral density.... Vinmec is also the place to gather a team of experienced doctors and nurses who will greatly assist in diagnosis and detection. early signs of abnormality in the patient's body. In particular, with a space designed according to 5-star hotel standards, Vinmec ensures to bring the patient the most comfort, friendliness and peace of mind.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.