The dependence of image quality on the number of high and low kVp projections in dual energy CT using the prior image constrained compressed sensing (PICCS) algorithm

Dual energy CT using a fast kVp switching technique and the standard filtered back projection (FBP) image reconstruction method has recently been studied. With conventional FBP methods, high slew rates are required for acceptable image reconstruction with high image quality. However, high slew rates also require hardware changes to enable data acquisition. In this work, we aim at studying the necessary slew rate for dual energy CT imaging provided that the PICCS algorithm is used for image reconstruction. The results demonstrate that a slew rate of 7.5 kV / view (assuming 2,000 views were collected over 360o with a 60 kVp energy separation) was sufficient for dual energy imaging using PICCS.

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