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Photon-counting CT: quick and non-invasive scanning

Photon-counting computed tomography (CT) scanners1 provide additional information to physicians for diagnosis and treatment in cardiology, pulmonology, and oncology.
4min
Andrea Lutz
Published on December 1, 2021

Computed tomography will soon play an essential role in treatment decisions thanks to the precise information generated by photon-counting detectors. The NAEOTOM Alpha is the first clinical photon-counting CT system to be launched.

Cardiology: cardiac CT renders many catheterization examinations obsolete

Cardiac scan with acquired with NAEOTOM Alpha
The combination of dual source and photon-counting computed tomography in NAEOTOM Alpha makes it possible to scan patients at any heart rate and display spectral information – and therefore different materials – at high resolution. Courtesy of Centre Cardio-Thoracique, Monaco, MC

It’s likely that the higher spatial resolution will allow us to detect calcium and other soft tissue plaques in the coronary arteries more effectively.

Professor Heinz-Peter Schlemmer, MD, Head of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg

Pulmonology: lung imaging with photon-counting CT

Lung imaging with photon-counting CT

Computed tomography can be used to detect tissue changes in the lungs. Photon-counting CT provides valuable additional information: Cinematic Rendering based on monoenergetic images (left), fusion of perfusion information and anatomy acquired at the same time (middle), and cinematic volume rendering based on contrast media perfusion extracted from the spectral information (right).

We’re able to visualize changes in the thin septa, the trachea, and the bronchial walls that were previously invisible to us.

Professor Heinz-Peter Schlemmer, MD, Head of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg

Oncology: low radiation dose makes CT an attractive option for follow-up

Advanced metastatic disease of the bone marrow

Advanced metastatic disease of the bone marrow is visualized by fusing the high-resolution bone scan with information about the density of the bone marrow derived from the spectral information. Courtesy of Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Thanks to its innovative detector system, the photon-counting CT scanner has much sharper 'eyes' than conventional devices. This allows us to produce images with greater spatial resolution than was possible in the past.

Professor Heinz-Peter Schlemmer, MD, Head of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg

Oncology: new contrast agents improve liver cancer
follow-up

Cinematic Rendering of the liver based on monoenergetic images

Cinematic Rendering of the liver based on monoenergetic images shows hyperperfused malignant lesions. Spectral CT imaging in combination with high temporal and spatial resolution makes it possible to optimize the image characteristics for the individual case. Courtesy of Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

By Andrea Lutz
Andrea Lutz is a journalist and business trainer specialized on medical topics, technology, and healthcare IT. She lives in Nuremberg, Germany.

  1. Last accessed Nov. 11, 2021 

    [1] E. Wehrse, S. Sawall, L. Klein, P. Glemser, S. Delorme, H.-P. Schlemmer, M. Kachelrieß, M. Uhrig, C. H. Ziener and L. T. Rotkopf: Potential of ultra-high-resolution photon-counting CT of bone metastases: initial experiences in breast cancer patients (npj Breast Cancer 2021, DOI: 10.1038/s41523-020-00207-3)

    [2] Zylka-Menhorn, Vera: Radiologie und COVID-19: Ein Lungen-CT nicht ohne rechtfertigende Indikation. In: Deutsches Ärzteblatt 2020; 117(17): A-872 / B-732 

    [3] Lohöfer, Fabian K.; Makowski, Marcus R.; Kaissis, Georgios A.; Braren, Rickmer F.: CT-Diagnostik bei COVID-19: Nutzen und Limitationen im klinischen Alltag. In: Deutsches Ärzteblatt 2020; 117(17): A-876 / B-734

    [4] Deutsche Röntgengesellschaft: Information der AG Thoraxdiagnostik der Deutschen Röntgengesellschaft. https://www.drg.de/de-DE/5995/covid-19

  1. 1 The products/features (mentioned herein) are not commercially available in all countries. Their future availability cannot be guaranteed.

    The statements by Siemens Healthineers customers described herein are based on results that were achieved in the customer’s unique setting. Since there is no “typical” hospital and many variables exist (e.g., hospital size, case mix, level of IT adoption) there can be no guarantee that other customers will achieve the same results.