Spectral CT imaging

Computed tomography (CT) is a widely used x-ray scanning technique. In its prominent use as a medical imaging device, CT serves as a workhorse in many clinical settings throughout the world. It provides answers to urgent diagnostic tasks such as oncology tumor staging, acute stroke analysis, or radiation therapy planning. "Spectral computed tomography" provides a concise, practical coverage of this important medical tool. The first chapter considers the main clinical motivations for spectral CT applications. In Chapter 2, the measurement properties of spectral CT systems are described. Chapter 3 provides an overview of the current state of research on spectral CT algorithms. Based on this overview, the technical realization of spectral CT systems is evaluated in Chapter 4. Device approaches such as DSCT, kV switching, and energy-resolving detectors are compared. Finally, Chapter 5 summarizes various algorithms for spectral CT reconstructions and spectral CT image postprocessing, and links these algorithms to clinical use cases.