Diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy CT for bone marrow edema in patients with acute knee injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Knee injuries are prevalent, and early diagnosis is crucial for guiding clinical therapy. MRI is the diagnostic gold standard for bone marrow edema (BME) in patients with acute knee injuries, yet there are still limitations. Dual-energy CT, a possible viable replacement, is being explored (DECT). Methods We systematically retrieved studies from EMBASE, Scopus, PUBMED, and the Cochrane Library and collected gray literatures. In accordance with the PRISMA-DTA standards, a systematic review was conducted between the study's initiation and July 31, 2021, utilizing an MRI reference standard and at least 10 adult patients with acute knee injuries to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of DECT for diagnosing BME. Two reviewers collected the study's details independently. For the meta-analysis, a bivariate mixed-effects regression model was utilized, and subgroup analysis was employed to determine the sources of variability. Results The research included nine studies that examined 290 individuals between the ages of 23 and 53 with acute knee injuries who had DECT and MRI. Overall, the sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of the BME were 85% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 77–90%), 96% (95% CI: 93–97%), and 0.97 (95% CI: 0.95–0.98), respectively. To account for the assumed diversity of research, there were no statistically significant differences between the comparison groups in terms of specificity and sensitivity. Conclusion DECT is a viable alternative to MRI for individuals with acute knee injuries when MRI is inappropriate or unavailable.