Dual-energy CT fusion imaging improves ice-ball visualization in bone during spinal cryoablation in porcine cadavers

Key Points

• To assess the effectiveness of dual-energy CT fusion imaging in improving ice-ball visualization during spinal cryoablation.
• Used porcine cadavers to perform spinal cryoablation.
• Compared ice-ball visualization on virtual non-calcium and fusion images against MRI.
• Evaluated contour quality of the ice-ball in bone using imaging techniques.
• Ice-ball was only detectable on VNCa images with poor delineation quality.
• Fusion images significantly improved the visualization and contour definition of the ice-ball.
• Findings were confirmed through comparatives with MRI imaging.