Nam Bo da, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Hyun-Joo Kim MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jang Gyu Cha MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Seong Sook Hong MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jung Hwa Hwang MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate the effectiveness of gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) dual-energy CT (DECT) with or without application of metal artifact reduction software (MARs) and compare visualization in different keV values.

This clinical study was performed in 25 patients who received spine surgery with metallic devices, between October 2013 and February 2014. All patients underwent GSI-DECT for postoperative evaluation. The CTs were performed using fast kV-switching between 80 and 140 keV. The CT data were reconstructed with monochromatic energy in the range 70–140 keV with or without MARs. All images were retrospectively reviewed according to the visibility of periprosthetic regions including bone and soft tissue by a six-point scale (0-5) and the severity of beam-hardening artifacts by using a four-point scale (0-3). Also the size differences of metal devices were measured with or without MARS in the range of 110keV.

There were twelve men and thirteen women. The mean age of patients was 58.2. The range of mean visibility scale of soft tissues is 1.36-3.16 in different keV values with or without MARs and that of bones is 1.44-3.8. Also the range of mean artifacts scale is 0-1.08 in same condition (p-values:<0.0001-1.000). Using 110 kev is the least affected by artifact (mean value of artifact scale : 1.08). The bone is most effectively visualized on 110 keV and the soft tissue on 120 keV without MARs. The sizes of devices were measured 1.5mm smaller with MARs and 1.7mm larger without MARs than real sizes.

Monochromatic energy images with 110-120 keV without MARs most effectively reduce artifacts and improve the delineation of the prosthesis and periprosthetic regions.

Monochromatic energy images with 110-120 keV without MARs using DECT enables the radiologist to evaluate the periprosthetic lesions for the patient with previous spine surgery using metallic device.

Bo da, N, Kim, H, Cha, J, Hong, S, Hwang, J, Which One is Better for Metal Artifact Reduction in Postoperative Spine Evaluation: Dual Energy CT Images with Metal Artifact Reduction Software or Not?.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14001801.html