Table 1.

Images Created on DSDECT and RSDECT Platforms for a Multiphasic Pancreas Protocol

	Dual Source Dual-Energy CT (DSDECT)	Rapid Switching Dual-Energy CT (RSDECT)
1	Scout topogram	Scout topogram
2	True precontrast 3 mm, I31f3, 120kVp	True precontrast 2.5 mm ASIR 60%, 120kVp
3	Dual energy late arterial phase, 3 mm, I31f2 blend (50% 100kVp and 50% 140kVp),	Dual energy axial late arterial 70 keV Non-dual-energy axial portal venous phase 2.5 mm 120kVp, ASIR 30% (both acquisitions combined to same series), 120kVp
4	Non-dual-energy axial portal venous phase 3 mm, I31 f2, based on 0.75mm axial source images, 120kVp	Non-dual-energy portal venous, contiguous 2.5 mm, coronal reconstructions based on 0.625mm axial source images, obtained at 120kVp.
5	Non-dual-energy portal venous, contiguous 3 mm, coronal reconstructions, I31 f2 based on 0.75mm axial source images, obtained at 120kVp	Non-dual-energy portal venous, contiguous 2.5 mm, sagittal reconstructions based on 0.625mm axial source images, obtained at 120kVp
6	Non-dual-energy portal venous, 3 mm, sagittal reconstructions, I31 f2, based on 0.75mm axial source images obtained at 120kVp	Dual energy late arterial 70kev with dual energy data, 0.625mm
7	Late arterial tube A 1.5 mm (q30 kernel)	Non-dual energy portal venous phase, 0.625mm, obtained at 120kVp
8	Late arterial Tube B 1.5 mm (q30 kernel)	2.5mm 50 keV Late arterial
9	Portal Venous 1.5mm I31f2, 120 kVp	2.5mm iodine(-water) MDI
10	3mm 50 keV Late arterial	2.5mm virtual noncontrast – water(-iodine) MDI
11	3mm iodine MDI
12	3mm virtual noncontrast

Examples of protocols for dual source versus rapid switching. Note, on rapid switching platform, late arterial and portal venous phases are scanned separately but combine into the same series allowing for scrolling from one phase to the next. This is not possible on the dual source platform without manual intervention to create a series with both. ASIR (Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstuction). “I” as in I31f2, refers to SAFIRE (Sinogram Affirmed Iterative Reconstruction) processing while the specific number, e.g. 31, refers to a reconstruction kernel. Please note “Q” kernel is specifically needed for the DSDECT thin section images in order that they can be used with that vendor’s dual energy workstation software.