Renal imaging with dual energy projection radiography

Abstract

Applications of dual energy radiography to renal imaging were evaluated using an experimental system for line-scanned projection radiography. This system combines digital radiographs simultaneously obtained at two differing x-ray energies (85 and 135 kVp) to create images in which materials of a desired mean atomic number are selectively cancelled. A preliminary evaluation of the technique was performed for three renal imaging problems: detection and characterization of renal masses of low radiographic contrast, evaluation of renal artery stenosis and unilateral renal ischemia, and detection of renal calculi. In all three applications, the dual energy technique produced results indicating potential advantages over conventional radiographic studies.