Evaluation of a prototype dual-energy computed tomographic apparatus. I. Phantom studies.

We report the evaluation of a prototype dual-energy implementation using rapid kVp switching on a clinical computed tomographic scanner. The method employs prereconstruction basis material decomposition of the dual-energy projection data. Each dual-energy scan can be processed into conventional single-kVp images, basis material density images, and monoenergetic images. Phantom studies were carried out to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate and validate the approach.