Computed tomography (pedCAT)
The Curve Beam pedCAT scanner for standing examinations is the first of its kind in Poland and, as of 23 April, the ninth installed in Europe.
Imaging complex bone structures such as the feet has always been challenging. To this day, neither radiographs nor conventional CT provide an unequivocal diagnosis.
Until now, CT examinations for foot disease were performed only lying down. Only full weight-bearing imaging while standing can show the complete foot deformity and thus allow treatment to be planned.
A device has recently become available that allows doctors to image the feet precisely under natural weight-bearing conditions, leading to the optimal treatment choice.
Device description
The device is the pedCAT by the US company CurveBeam, a CT scanner designed specifically to examine feet under natural load. Its large active detector images a cylindrical volume 35 cm in diameter and 20 cm high. Crucially, it can examine both feet simultaneously. Its open design makes it easy for young and older people, including patients with serious musculoskeletal injuries, to assume the correct position.
The device produces 360-degree projections, resulting in high-quality images with minimal artefacts. The examination can be displayed in 3D.
How the examination works
Before the pedCAT era, taking foot images required complex, very precise patient positioning. Even a correctly taken image could not resolve every doubt about the source of the problem because bones overlapped. Radiographs of the same foot taken by different technicians could also differ considerably. As a result, radiological angles could be misread, making surgery more difficult and requiring changes to the original plan.
Conventional CT provides a detailed analysis of the foot bones and avoids positioning or projection errors. However, because it is performed lying down without weight on the feet, the cause of the patient’s symptoms may be missed.
Benefits for the patient
pedCAT imaging avoids all these disadvantages. The feet are examined standing, under full weight-bearing, with real angular measurements possible.
Another important aspect is the radiation dose absorbed by the patient, which is receiving increasing attention.
pedCAT exposes the patient to a dose approximately 90% lower than conventional CT.
Considering examination time, pedCAT diagnostics are also 30–70% faster.
With all these features, pedCAT may soon become the new gold standard in foot diagnostics.
The Curve Beam pedCAT scanner was installed at Halluxmed on 16 April 2018.
