Pilot study for comparative assessment of dual-energy computed tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography V/Q scanning for lung perfusion evaluation in infants

Karen I. Ramirez-Suarez, Christian A. Barrera, Hansel J. Otero, David M. Biko, Lisa J. States, Sabah Servaes, Xiaowei Zhu, James C. Davis, Josrph Piccione, Jordan B. Rapp
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. West Virginia University Medicine Children’s Hospital.
United States

Pediatric Pulmonology
Pediatr Pulmonol 2022; 57: 702-710
DOI: 10.1002/ppul.25788

Abstract
Objective: To evaluate clinical applications of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in pediatric-specific lung diseases and compare ventilation and perfusion findings with those from single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT-CT) V/Q.
Methods: All patients at our institution who underwent exams using both techniques within a 3-month period were included in this study. Two readers independently described findings for DECT, and two other readers independently analyzed the SPECT-CT V/Q scan data. All findings were compared between readers and disagreements were reassessed and resolved by consensus. Inter-modality agreements are described throughout this study.
Results: Eight patients were included for evaluation. The median age for DECT scanning was 3.5 months (IQR = 2). Five of these patients were scanned for both DECT and SPECT-CT V/Q studies the same day, and three had a time gap of 7, 65, and 94 days between studies. The most common indications were chronic lung disease (5/8; 63%) and pulmonary hypertension (6/8; 75%). DECT and SPECT-CT V/Q identified perfusion abnormalities in concordant lobes in most patients (7/8; 88%). In one case, atelectasis limited DECT perfusion assessment. Three patients ultimately underwent lobectomy with corresponding perfusion abnormalities identified by all reviewers on both DECT and SPECT-CT V/Q in all resected lobes.
Conclusion: DECT is a feasible technique that could be considered as an alternative for SPECT-CT V/Q for lung perfusion evaluation in infants.

Category
Class III. Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Lung Disease
Diagnostic Testing for Pulmonary Vascular Disease. Non-invasive Testing

Age Focus: Pediatric Pulmonary Vascular Disease

Fresh or Filed Publication: Filed (PHiled). Greater than 1-2 years since publication

Article Access
Free PDF File or Full Text Article Available Through PubMed or DOI: No

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