Dual-Energy Computed Tomography (DECT) in Acute Neck Infections: Comparison With Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Neck Abscess
• Interventions: Diagnostic Test: Dual-energy CT; Diagnostic Test: MRI

• Registration Number: NCT05303922
• Lead Sponsor: Turku University Hospital

Brief Summary

The purpose of this prospective study is to compare MRI and DECT in imaging acute neck infection. 50 patients suspected for neck infection will undergo both modalities, which will then be compared in terms of depiction of edema, conspicuity of inflammation, and characterization and number of abscesses. We hypothesize that DECT will have diagnostic performance comparable to that of MRI, and superior to that of traditional single-energy CT. This study will yield important new information about the performance of DECT, a novel and rapid method for emergency imaging.

Detailed Description

Deep neck infections present challenges even in modern medicine, due to complex anatomy and potentially lethal complications. True extent of the infection is difficult to assess clinically. Therefore, medical imaging is useful in determining the exact location and extent of disease. In suspected neck infection, computed tomography (CT) has traditionally been the first-line imaging method. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides excellent soft-tissue characterization surpassing that of CT in the initial evaluation of neck infections. Previous studies have shown than MRI is superior to CT in terms of lesion conspicuity and number of affected spaces in neck infections. As an alternative to MRI, dual-energy CT (DECT) could offer improved soft tissue sensitivity compared with traditional single-energy CT. DECT refers to CT imaging carried out with two kinds of spectra of x-ray. In this prospective comparative study, we will recruit emergency patients with suspected neck infection. Neck MRI will be completed as part of standard clinical care, and DECT as part of this research study. After study completion, DECT and MRI will be compared by neuroradiologists, both modalities at separate occasions, blinded to the clinical information and diagnosis as well to the result of the other modality. Clinical care will be based on MRI as is usual practise. Surgical findings will be considered gold standard.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2022-03
• Study Start: 2022-03-22
• Study First Submitted: 2022-03-22
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-03-22
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-03-22
• Study First Posted: 2022-03-31
• Last Update Posted: 2022-03-31
• Primary Completion: 2026-03
• Study Completion: 2026-03

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 50

Inclusion Criteria

• Age ≥ 18 years
• Suspicion of acute neck infection as deemed by the referring physician

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Exclusion Criteria

• History of a serious adverse reaction to intravenous iodine- or gadolinium-based contrast agent
• Severe kidney dysfunction (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73m2)
• Foreign metallic objects incompatible with MRI in the body
• Inability to give informed consent, as deemed by study physician
• Inability to follow study instructions

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
DECT and MRI	Dual-energy CT	Patients will be scanned with both DECT and MRI.
DECT and MRI	MRI	Patients will be scanned with both DECT and MRI.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Diagnostic accuracy	1 day	Diagnostic accuracy relative to clinical reference standard (clinical diagnosis or surgery)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Turku University Hospital; 🇫🇮 Turku, Finland