Standing CT of the feet ( pedCAT )
The CT scanner for standing examinations of the feet ( pedCAT ) by CurveBeam at Halluxmed is the first device of its kind in Poland.
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 CT scanner for standing examinations of the feet ( pedCAT ) by the US company CurveBeam was designed specifically to image 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 introduction of standing CT of the feet ( pedCAT ), 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
Standing CT of the feet ( pedCAT ) 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.
Standing CT of the feet ( pedCAT ) exposes the patient to a dose approximately 90% lower than conventional CT.
Considering examination time, standing CT of the feet ( pedCAT ) is also 30–70% faster.
