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.