双能量CT痛风石成像的研究进展

痛风是因尿酸钠盐沉积在关节、软组织、软骨和肾脏而引起组织的异物炎性反应。临床上常需综合典型的临床症状以及血、尿中尿酸盐水平的测定和常规影像检查(如X线、MRI、B超等)进行诊断,但不典型痛风的诊断仍存在困难。双能量CT通过区分尿酸盐结晶和钙质的不同衰减特性来诊断痛风,并采用特定的体积计算软件对痛风石进行准确定量。随着双能量痛风石成像的广泛应用,其在临床工作中的应用价值将不断扩展及深化,并有望成为确诊和管理痛风的重要手段。

The progress of dual-energy computed tomography for evaluation of tophaceous gout

Gout is an inflammatory reaction as a result of monosodium urate crystal deposition in joints, periarticular soft tissue, cartilage, and kidney. Although diagnosing gout generally is straight forward when presenting typical clinical symptoms, serum urate level and common imaging modalities, atypical disease may still be a challenge. Dual-energy computed tomography (CT) can be used to differentiate urate crystals from calcium by using specific attenuation characteristics. Dual-energy CT can be used for volumetric quantification through an automated volume assessment software. Given the utility of dual-energy CT in challenging cases and its ability of providing an objective outcomes measure in patients with tophaceous gout, dual-energy CT promises to be a unique and clinically relevant modality in the diagnosis and management of tophaceous gout.