Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41998410›Full record

ReviewSkeletal radiology2026

Assessing bone microstructure and density with photon-counting CT: emerging applications and challenges.

Theresa Sophie Patzer, Fides R Schwartz, Raj Kumar Panta, Faraz Farhadi, Fang Liu, Mary Bouxsein, William E Palmer, Ali Guermazi, Fjola Johannesdottir, Mohamed Jarraya

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Skeletal radiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Theresa Sophie PatzerDepartment of Radiology, Mass General Brigham, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Fides R SchwartzDepartment of Radiology, Mass General Brigham, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Raj Kumar PantaDepartment of Radiology, Mass General Brigham, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Faraz FarhadiDepartment of Radiology, Mass General Brigham, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Fang LiuDepartment of Radiology, Mass General Brigham, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Mary BouxseinCenter for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
William E PalmerDepartment of Radiology, Mass General Brigham, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Ali GuermaziDepartment of Radiology, VA Boston Healthcare, Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
Fjola JohannesdottirCenter for Advanced Orthopedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
Mohamed JarrayaDepartment of Radiology, Mass General Brigham, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. mjarraya@mgh.harvard.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8095-0174

Funding

NIAMS NIH HHS AR084603Projectf
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) represents a transformative advancement in bone imaging, compared to conventional energy-integrating detector CT offering superior spatial and contrast resolution, enhanced dose efficiency, and the unique capability to perform both ultra-high-resolution and material decomposition imaging in a single acquisition. This review provides a technical overview and synthesizes evidence from preclinical studies, demonstrating that PCCT offers the possibility of accurate quantification of bone microarchitecture and mineral density with performance similar to high-resolution peripheral quantitative CT. However, translating these benefits to in vivo clinical imaging remains challenging due to the need to balance image quality with acceptable radiation dose. Further research is required to validate PCCT for cortical and trabecular bone analysis in patients. Beyond structural assessment, PCCT facilitates advanced applications such as bone marrow fat quantification and opportunistic osteoporosis screening, with early clinical studies showing strong agreement with established standards. While PCCT holds significant promise for revolutionizing bone research and clinical practice, widespread adoption will depend on optimization of image acquisition protocols, standardized image processing and analysis, and additional clinical validation.

Indexed as

Bone and BonesBone DensityTomography, X-Ray ComputedAnimalsHumansOsteoporosisPhotonsRadiation DosageOsteoarthritisOsteoporosisPhoton-counting CT

Identifiers

PMID41998410

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.