ObjectiveTo evaluate the value of 120 kV portal venous phase images combined with iodine maps created from dual-source dual-energy CT (DECT) for the diagnosis of pancreatic necrosis in the early stage of acute pancreatitis. MethodsThis prospective study enrolled 17 patients who underwent abdominal dual-source DECT within 72 hours from the onset of acute pancreatitis. All patients had received treatment in West China Hospital from May 2014 to August 2014. Comparison of the diagnostic value of 120 kV portal venous phase images alone and 120 kV portal venous phase images combined with iodine maps created from dual-source DECT was performed. ResultsSix of the 17 patients were found the presence of pancreatic necrosis (4 patients without obvious necrosis in the early stage developed to pancreatic necrosis, and 2 patients with the presence of necrosis in the early stage improved). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 120 kV portal venous phase images for the diagnosis of pancreatic necrosis were 50.0% (3/6), 100% (11/11), and 82.4% (14/17), respectively, and it had a good diagnostic value (AUC=0.856, P=0.018). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 120 kV portal venous phase images combined with iodine maps created from dual-source DECT for predicting pancreatic necrosis were 100% (6/6), 90.9% (10/11), and 94.1% (16/17), respectively, and this method had good value too (AUC=0.977, P=0.002), which higher than that of 120 kV portal venous phase images (P=0.002). ConclusionsThe 120 kV portal venous phase images combined with iodine maps created from dual-source DECT is helpful to improve subjective judgment in the diagnosis of pancreatic necrosis in the early stage of acute pancreatitis. It also contributes to the display of hypo-perfusion area of the pancreatic parenchyma, and has higher diagnostic value.