Utilization of virtual mono-energetic images (MonoE) derived from a dual-layer spectral detector CT (SDCT) for the assessment of abdominal arteries in venous contrast phase scans

MonoE at low keV of venous contrast phase scans derived from a novel SDCT are suitable for the assessment of arteries in the abdomen and subsequent stenosis assessment. However, MonoE at 40 keV constantly showed significant smaller luminal diameters than the corresponding conventional reconstructions (including the reference standard). This is possibly due to an improved differentiation of the vessel lumen from the wall and raises the question, which imaging technique should be used as an appropriate reference standard for vascular SDCT imaging studies.