Spectral CT can facilitate better discrimination of tissues, making it easier to differentiate between materials, such as tissues containing calcium and iodine, that can appear similar on traditional, monochromatic CT techniques. It also can potentially increase diagnostic accuracy in a wide range of clinical applications, such as enhancing the conspicuity and detection of smaller vessels associated with sub-segmental pulmonary emboli. Using spectral information to create virtual non-contrast images may eliminate traditional non-contrast acquisitions in some studies. Eliminating these non-contrast images can also have an economic benefit, as it shortens exams and could lead to increased patient throughput. Spectral CT have other advantages as well. Patients may benefit not only from images that facilitate more confident diagnosis, but potentially from decreased x-ray radiation dose.