Some practical aspects of dual-energy CT scanning

Using the dual-energy scanning method developed by Brooks (1977), and making slow x-ray scans at 100 kVp, 35 mA and 140 kVp, 20 mA, measurements were made of electron density and effective atomic number in the lumbar spines of 36 patients aged from 22 to 87 years, and not known to be suffering from conditions which result in osteoporosis or osteomalacia. The authors discuss in detail the sources of experimental error which contributed to the large measured spread of normal values of electron density and effective atomic number. (U.K.)