Spectral Computed Tomagraphy: Comparison Of Real And Virtual Native Images

Abstract

This paper is based on the comparison of real and virtual native images obtained from spectral computed tomography (CT). Both types of images are compared by the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), HU/HU* ratio and in the relation of used contrast medium. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis of the measurements. The main purpose of this study is to contribute on the wider issue which is radiation dose reduction on the patient. This problem has not been fully researched yet but it has been proposed that the virtual images could be computed mathematically from the images acquired by the conventional scanning protocol for spectral CT and used instead of the real images.