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Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association2023; 64(4); 677-685; doi: 10.1111/vru.13258

Single energy metal artifact reduction performs better than virtual monoenergetic dual-energy reconstruction in CT of the equine proximal phalanx.

Abstract: Metal artifacts in CT negatively impact the evaluation of surgical implants and the surrounding tissues. The aim of this prospective experimental study was to evaluate the ability of a single energy metal artifact reduction (SEMAR™, Canon) algorithm and virtual monoenergetic (VM) dual-energy CT (DECT) scanning techniques to reduce metal artifacts from stainless steel screws surgically inserted into the equine proximal phalanx. Seven acquisitions of 18 cadaver limbs were performed on a Canon Aquilion One Vision CT scanner (Helical +SEMAR, Volume +SEMAR, Standard Helical, Standard Volume and VM DECT at 135, 120, and 105 keV) and reconstructed in a bone kernel. Blinded subjective evaluation performed by three observers indicated a significant effect of acquisition in both adjacent tissues (P < 0.001) and distant tissues (P < 0.001) and the best metal artifact reduction was seen with Helical +SEMAR and Volume +SEMAR. The subjective overall preference of CT acquisition type was (1) Helical +SEMAR, (2) Volume +SEMAR, (3) VM DECT 135 keV, (4) VM DECT 120 keV, (5) VM DECT 105 keV, (6) Standard Helical, (7) Standard Volume (P < 0.001). Unblinded objective evaluation performed by one observer showed that VM DECT 120 keV, Helical +SEMAR, and Volume +SEMAR performed similarly and were objectively the best at reducing blooming artifact. Overall, the best metal artifact reduction was obtained with SEMAR, followed by VM DECT. However, VM DECT performance varies with energy level and was associated with decreased image quality in distant tissues and artifactual overcorrection of metal artifacts at high energy levels.
© 2023 American College of Veterinary Radiology.
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Publication Date: 2023-06-06 PubMed ID: 37280760DOI: 10.1111/vru.13258Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigated the effectiveness of using a Single Energy Metal Artifact Reduction (SEMAR) tool as against Virtual Monoenergetic (VM) dual-energy CT scan to decrease metal artifacts from stainless steel screws inserted into horse leg bones. The study showed that the SEMAR technique produces better results than VM when employed at high energy levels.

Objective of Research

  • The article focuses on an experimental study whose aim is to compare the performance of two different strategies – SEMAR and VM dual-energy CT (DECT) scanning – in reducing metal artifacts created by stainless steel screws inserted into the horse’s proximal phalanx (a bone in the leg).

Research Methodology

  • The researchers utilized 18 cadaver limbs for the experiment. They conducted seven acquisitions using a Canon Aquilion One Vision CT scanner on each limb and reconstructed them in a bone kernel.
  • They applied different techniques including Standard Helical, Standard Volume, VM DECT at 135, 120, and 105 keV energies and two SEMAR techniques: Helical +SEMAR and Volume +SEMAR.
  • The evaluation was two-fold: a subjective evaluation by three independent observers and an unblinded objective evaluation by one observer.

Results

  • The subjective evaluation proved that the type of acquisition had a significant effect on both nearby and distant tissues, with the greatest metal artifact reduction achieved with methods involving SEMAR — namely, Helical +SEMAR and Volume +SEMAR.
  • Additionally, the SEMAR techniques were voted as the most preferred, followed by various energy levels of VM DECT, and then the standard techniques.
  • The unblinded objective evaluation revealed that VM DECT 120 keV, Helical +SEMAR, and Volume +SEMAR were the best at reducing blooming artifacts.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The study concludes that the SEMAR method is more efficient than VM DECT in reducing metal artifacts, primarily at high energy levels.
  • However, the researchers note that VM DECT performance varies with its energy level, and its use can result in decreased image quality in distant tissues and overcorrections of metal artifacts at high energy levels.

Cite This Article

APA
Faulkner JE, Broeckx BJG, Martens A, Raes E, Haardt H, Vanderperren K. (2023). Single energy metal artifact reduction performs better than virtual monoenergetic dual-energy reconstruction in CT of the equine proximal phalanx. Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 64(4), 677-685. https://doi.org/10.1111/vru.13258

Publication

Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association
ISSN: 1740-8261
NlmUniqueID: 9209635
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 64
Issue: 4
Pages: 677-685

Researcher Affiliations

Faulkner, Josephine E
  • Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Broeckx, Bart J G
  • Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Martens, Ann
  • Department of Large Animal Surgery, Anesthesia and Orthopedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Raes, Els
  • Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Haardt, Hanna
  • Department of Large Animal Surgery, Anesthesia and Orthopedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Vanderperren, Katrien
  • Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Artifacts
  • Metals
  • Prospective Studies
  • Algorithms

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Dalla Serra G, Maurin MP, Skelly C, Hernandez-Girón I, Hoey S. Effects of Metal Implants on Computed Tomographic Attenuation Values in the Canine Antebrachium: A Cadaveric Study. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2025 Nov;66(6):e70103.
    doi: 10.1111/vru.70103pubmed: 41105847google scholar: lookup
  2. Germonpré J, Lorenz I, Vandekerckhove LMJ, Duchateau L, Diekhoff T, Vanderperren K. Dual-Energy Computed Tomography for the Detection of Bone Edema-Like Lesions in the Equine Foot: Standing Horses and Cadaveric Specimens. Vet Sci 2025 Jun 24;12(7).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12070614pubmed: 40711274google scholar: lookup
  3. Steiner J, Richter H, Kaufmann R, Ohlerth S. Characterization of Normal Bone in the Equine Distal Limb with Effective Atomic Number and Electron Density Determined with Single-Source Dual Energy and Detector-Based Spectral Computed Tomography. Animals (Basel) 2024 Mar 30;14(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14071064pubmed: 38612304google scholar: lookup
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