Noise characteristics of virtual monoenergetic images from a novel detector-based spectral CT scanner

Highlights: • High noise in virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) is a consequence of the steps used in image generation. • The dual layer detector-based spectral scanner uses anti-correlated noise reduction in the reconstruction process. • VMI obtained from detector-based spectral CT have low noise across the entire energy spectrum. • The SNR and CNR of these VMI are significantly improved compared to conventional polyenergetic images. • VMI can be used for increasing vascular contrast, improving lesion conspicuity and decreasing artifacts. - Abstract: AimTo evaluate the noise characteristics of virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) obtained from a recently introduced dual-layer detector-based spectral CT (SDCT), both in a phantom and patients.