Single-energy metal artifact reduction technique for reducing metallic coil artifacts on post-interventional cerebral CT and CT angiography.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of the single-energy metal artifact reduction (SEMAR) algorithm on image quality of cerebral CT and CT angiography (CTA) for patients who underwent intracranial aneurysm coiling.

Methods: Twenty patients underwent cerebral CT and CTA using a 320-detector row CT after intracranial aneurysm coiling. Images with and without application of the SEMAR algorithm (SEMAR CT and standard CT images, respectively) were reconstructed for each patient. The images were qualitatively assessed by two independent radiologists in a blinded manner for the depiction of anatomical structures around the coil, delineation of the arteries around the coil, and the depiction of the status of coiled aneurysms. Artifact strength was quantitatively assessed by measuring the standard deviation of attenuation values around the coil.

Results: The strength of artifacts measured in SEMAR CT images was significantly lower than that in standard CT images (25.7 ± 10.2 H.U. vs. 80.4 ± 67.2 H.U., p < 0.01, Student's paired t test). SEMAR CT images were significantly improved compared with standard CT images in the depiction of anatomical structures around the coil (p < 0.01, the sign test), delineation of the arteries around the coil (p < 0.01), and the depiction of the status of coiled aneurysms (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: The SEMAR algorithm significantly reduces metal artifacts from intracranial aneurysm coiling and improves visualization of anatomical structures and arteries around the coil, and depiction of the status of coiled aneurysms on post-interventional cerebral CT.