Photon-Counting CT Advances Head and Neck Imaging with Spectral and Dose Benefits

Photon-counting CT improves head and neck imaging over energy-integrating CT: higher spatial resolution, less noise and metal artifact, lower radiation and contrast doses, and spectral reconstructions may enhance lesion detection, tissue characterization, and assessment around d…

• Technical advantages include improved visualization of small vessels, ossicles, and cartilage, with reduced metal artifact around cochlear implants, dental hardware, and postoperative materials.
• Lower radiation and iodinated contrast doses are especially valuable in pediatric patients and those requiring repeated surveillance imaging.
• Spectral reconstructions such as iodine maps, virtual non-contrast, and virtual non-calcium images may improve tissue characterization and carotid plaque assessment.

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