CT能谱成像技术减除金属植入物伪影的定量实验研究

目的 探讨能谱成像技术(GSI)减少金属伪影的价值.方法 选取离体附肉猪腰椎骨模型1具,在相同CT剂量指数(CTDI)条件下分别行GSI和常规120kVp扫描;随后于L2、L4水平植入钛钉并行重复扫描.金属植入前后的GSI图像均以间距为10 keV在40～140 keV间重建11种单能量(Mono)+金属伪影消除技术(MARs)图像.主观评定钛钉植入后120kVp组和GSI组图像质量差异,并量化分析:(1)在金属伪影最重层面自金属边缘由近及远选取3个面积相同的ROI,依次记为ROI近、ROI中、ROI远,分别测量植入前120kVp和Mono组、植入后120 kVp、Mono+MARs组的CT值及CT标准差(SD)值,并采用LSD检验和Bonferroni检验比较3个ROI植入前Mono组和植入后Mono+MARs组CT值的差异.(2)计算对比噪声比(CNR)和伪影指数(AI);比较不同组金属植入前后的CT值、SD值和CNR值;通过伪影指数确定观察金属伪影的最佳keV范围.结果 (1)GSI组图像质量优于常规120kVp组.(2)伪影指数最小的keV范围是80～100 keV.(3)ROI近的植入前Mono组和植入后Mono+MARs组CT值分别为(80.25±16.00)和(30.10±10.45)HU,差异有统计学意义(Z=2.978,P＜0.05);ROI中和ROI远的植入前Mono组、植入后Mono+MARs组CT值分别为(63.21±6.61)和(54.84±10.60)HU、(76.54±9.07)和(73.20±5.39)HU,差异均无统计学意义(t值分别为0.530、0.822,P值均＞0.05).结论 能谱成像技术能准确校正距离金属3 cm范围外的伪影,并提供准确的CT值.

The experimental quantitative study of spectral CT imaging in reducing the metal artifacts

Objective To assess the value of spectral CT in reducing artifacts caused by metallic implants. Methods Porcine lumbar spines were chosen as anthropomorphic phantom. The model was examined before and after implanting the titanic nail into the second and fourth lumbar vertebral body using gemstone spectral CT protocol and standard 120 kVp spectra. Specific pest-processing technique was applied to generate 11 kinds of images of monochromatic energy and Metal Artifacts Reducing system (MARs) with the interval of 10 keV ranging from 40-140 keV. The image quality was compared subjectively between 120 kVp group and GSI group after implantation. Three regions of interest based on distances along the most pronounced artifact were chosen and marked as ROInear, ROImid, ROIfar successively. Artifacts parameters including CT value and SD value were measured. The CT value of different ROIs were compared with LSD and Bonferroni test. Contrast-to-noise ratio and artifacts index were calculated. An optimal range of keV was determined according to artifacts index. Results Image quality of Gemstone spectra images was rated superior to the standard images. An optimized spectrum of keV based on artifacts index was from 80 keV to 100 keV. For ROInear,CT value was ( 80. 25 ± 16. 00) HU and ( 30. 10 ± 10. 45 ) HU respectively in group Mono before implantation and group Mono + MARs after implantation. The differences were significant( Z =2. 978, P ＜ 0. 05 ). For ROImid and ROIfax, CT value was ( 63.21 ± 6. 61 ) HU and ( 54. 84 ± 10. 60 ) HU,(76. 54 ±9.07)HU and (73.20 ±5.39)HU respectively. There was no significant differences (t =0. 530,P ＞ 0. 05; t = 0. 822, P ＞ 0. 05 ). Conclusions Metal artifacts could be reduced effectively at the site 3 cm away from implants using gemstone spectral CT. An accurate CT value of surrounding tissue can be obtained.