Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Metal artifacts reduce the quality of CT images and increase the difficulty of interpretation. This study compared the ability of model-based iterative reconstruction and hybrid iterative reconstruction to improve CT image quality in patients with metallic dental artifacts when both techniques were combined with a metal artifact reduction algorithm.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective clinical study included 40 patients (men, 31; women, 9; mean age, 62.9 ± 12.3 years) with oral and oropharyngeal cancer who had metallic dental fillings or implants and underwent contrast-enhanced ultra-high-resolution CT of the neck. Axial CT images were reconstructed using hybrid iterative reconstruction and model-based iterative reconstruction, and the metal artifact reduction algorithm was applied to all images. Finally, hybrid iterative reconstruction + metal artifact reduction algorithms and model-based iterative reconstruction + metal artifact reduction algorithm data were obtained. In the quantitative analysis, SDs were measured in ROIs over the apex of the tongue (metal artifacts) and nuchal muscle (no metal artifacts) and were used to calculate the metal artifact indexes. In a qualitative analysis, 3 radiologists blinded to the patients’ conditions assessed the image-quality scores of metal artifact reduction and structural depictions.
RESULTS: Hybrid iterative reconstruction + metal artifact reduction algorithms and model-based iterative reconstruction + metal artifact reduction algorithms yielded significantly different metal artifact indexes of 82.2 and 73.6, respectively (95% CI, 2.6–14.7; P < .01). The latter algorithms resulted in significant reduction in metal artifacts and significantly improved structural depictions(P < .01).
CONCLUSIONS: Model-based iterative reconstruction + metal artifact reduction algorithms significantly reduced the artifacts and improved the image quality of structural depictions on neck CT images.
ABBREVIATIONS:
- IR
- iterative reconstruction
- hybrid-IR+MAR
- combination of hybrid iterative reconstruction and metal artifact reduction algorithms
- MAR
- metal artifact reduction algorithms
- MBIR
- model-based iterative reconstruction
- MBIR+MAR
- combination of model-based iterative reconstruction and metal artifact reduction algorithms
- U-HRCT
- ultra-high-resolution CT
Many patients have metallic dental fillings or implants, which are highly attenuating objects that often cause metal artifacts on CT and thus limit the diagnostic value of these data by reducing the image quality.1 On CT, these artifacts comprise areas of low or high density that appear as streaks or radial foci with variable levels of brightness.2 Metal artifacts can also cause areas of whiteout, where CT numbers around the metallic object exceed the maximum CT number range, or blackout, where no image data are visible. Consequently, several artifact reduction methods have been developed to improve the quality of images produced by modern CT systems.
Iterative reconstruction (IR) was initially developed to preserve the quality of a CT image while reducing the level of noise.3 Although iterative reconstruction methods have been available since 1970, the limited computational power available at that time meant that this option was not feasible in clinical settings due to the overly long duration of image reconstruction. Therefore, a simpler approach (filtered back-projection) was used because it allowed faster processing and greater feasibility in clinical settings. Iterative reconstruction did not reappear until 2009.4 Unlike conventional filtered back-projection, which is based on simpler mathematic assumptions of the tomographic imaging system,5 IR is used to generate a set of synthesized projections by accurately modeling the data-collection process in CT. Hybrid iterative reconstruction (hybrid-IR) approaches apply some noise-reduction techniques to sinograms and image spaces. Hybrid-IR provides much better image quality and potentially enables reductions in radiation doses.6⇓-8 Recently, the evolution of hybrid-IR led to model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR). This fully iterative algorithm minimizes the difference between the measured original sinogram and the sinogram reproduced by forward projection and uses a more complex system of prediction models that account for scanner hardware parameters, the conebeam trajectory, and the photoelectric trajectory.9,10 Compared with earlier hybrid-IR techniques, MBIR provides superior image resolution at lower radiation doses.11⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓-17 MBIR has also been reported to constitute a useful approach for metal artifact reduction.18⇓⇓-21
Another approach for the reduction of metal artifacts involves the use of dedicated metal artifact reduction algorithms (MAR). With time, researchers have described the remarkable ability of MAR to enhance the visualization of various target lesions by reducing metallic artifacts.18,22⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓-29 Therefore, the intended effect of MAR has been established, and the use of CT with MAR comprises the current clinical standard.
Recent advances have made possible the combination of MBIR and MAR. This study aimed to clarify differences in the degree of metal artifact reduction and depiction of oral cavity structures between hybrid-IR and MBIR when both techniques were combined with MAR and to evaluate the ability of the latter to improve image quality and diagnostic value.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This retrospective single-institution study was approved by the institutional review board of the National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. The institutional review board waived the requirement for written informed consent from patients due to the design of the study and the use of anonymized patient records and data.
Patient Characteristics
The inclusion criteria were the diagnosis of oral or oropharyngeal carcinoma with tumors of >2 cm (longest diameter) and evaluation by contrast-enhanced ultra-high-resolution CT (U-HRCT) at our hospital between October 2017 and August 2018. The exclusion criteria were as follows: 1) a history of an oral cavity operation, 2) a lack of dental fillings or implants, and 3) a lack of raw CT data required for reconstruction.
For all patients, the age, sex, tumor location, histopathologic cancer type, and the number and sites of dental fillings or implants were determined. In cases involving the placement of dental fillings on multiple adjacent teeth, such as dental bridges, the number of originally treated teeth was counted. The size of the dental fillings or implants was not considered because these were ≤12 mm per tooth and thus equal to or less than the size of the original tooth.
CT
All images were acquired on a U-HRCT scanner (Aquilion Precision, Canon Medical Systems) in super-high-resolution mode (1792 channels/detector row, 0.25 × 160 rows; matrix size, 1024). The scanning parameters were a rotation time of 0.5 seconds, pitch factor of 0.569, scanning FOV of 24 cm, and voltage of 120 kV. Automatic tube current modulation was used in all examinations, resulting in a mean tube current of 272.4 ± 38.2 mA, mean CT dose index of 14.5 ± 1.3 mGy, and mean dose-length product of 511.9 ± 57.4 mGy. A body weight–adapted volume of iodinated contrast medium (iopromide, Ultravist, 370 mg/mL; Bayer HealthCare) was administered intravenously at a flow rate of 1.6–2.0 mL/s for 50 seconds. The scan was acquired at a delay of 80 seconds after the commencement of contrast injection.
Axial images of the neck were reconstructed from helical scan data using the following algorithms: hybrid-IR (Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction 3D [AIDR3D]; Canon Medical Systems) and MBIR (Forward projected model-based Iterative Reconstruction SoluTion [FIRST]; Canon Medical Systems); then, MAR (Single Energy Metal Artifact Reduction [SEMAR]; Canon Medical Systems) was applied to all images. Finally, hybrid-IR+MAR and MBIR+MAR were performed. A total of 80 image sets (40 patients) were obtained by reconstruction. AIDR3D reconstructions of areas of soft tissue were created using the standard reconstruction FC13 kernel. FIRST was reconstructed using a BODY kernel equivalent to a standard reconstruction kernel. The following parameters were identical across the reconstruction algorithms: z-axis range, frontal sinus to cricoid cartilage; section thickness, 3.0 mm; section interval, 3.0 mm; and reconstruction FOV, 24 cm.
Quantitative Image Analysis
The quantitative image analyses were performed by a board-certified radiologist (Y.K., with 14 years of experience). Circular ROIs were placed over the tongue apex in an area containing metal artifacts (∼400 mm2) and over the nuchal muscle at the level of the hyoid bone in an area without metal artifacts (∼100 mm2). The copy-paste function was used to ensure that the sizes and locations of the ROIs were identical across both reconstruction algorithms applied to data from a single patient. The mean CT attenuation value (Hounsfield units) and SD of all ROIs were measured twice, and the average value of the 2 corresponding measures was applied.
The SD of the ROI is a widely used measure of noise on radiographic images.30 When used in biologic tissue, the SD represents a combination of the tissue heterogeneity and noise (which may also be caused by metal). In a section containing a metal object, the SD is affected by both the image noise and the metal artifacts. Calculating the index between the SDs of the muscle (no metal artifacts) and tongue (metal artifacts) reduces the influence of tissue heterogeneity, though this assumes a consistent level of tissue heterogeneity. According to previous studies,31,32 the artifact index (AI) used to quantify the severity of metal artifacts is defined as
where SDTONGUE and SDMUSCLE denote the SD of the tongue apex and nuchal muscle, respectively.
The number of reconstructed CT slices was counted, and the time required per CT section reconstructed by hybrid-IR+MAR or MBIR+MAR was measured.
Qualitative Analyses
Three board-certified radiologists (N.U., T.H., and Y.O., with 3, 8, and 9 years of experience, respectively) performed a qualitative analysis of the CT images in consensus. All readers were blinded to the patient demographics and CT parameters and given standardized instructions and training on image sets from 5 patients not included in this study. The readers used the same monitor (RadiForce RX440; EIZO), and the study images were presented in random order on a preset soft-tissue window (window width and level, 325 and 60 HU, respectively).
The readers evaluated the image-quality scores of metal artifact reduction and the depictions of representative structures (apex and base of the tongue, parapharyngeal space, superior portion of the internal jugular chain, parotid gland) on a 5-point scale (5, no artifacts/excellent visualization; 4, minimal artifacts/good visualization; 3, moderate metal artifacts/acceptable visualization for diagnosis; 2, severe metal artifacts in a small area/poor visualization; and 1, severe metal artifacts in a large area/no visualization), as shown in Fig 1. Finally, the readers assigned a diagnostic tumor stage according to the criteria of the American Joint Committee on Cancer, Cancer Staging Manual, 8th edition33 and examined the correlation between the qualitative metal artifact reduction score and the number of dental fillings or implants in each patient.
Representative CT images of the degree of metal artifact reduction. The image quality of metal artifact reduction was scored using the following 5-point scale: 1, severe metal artifacts in a large area; 2, severe metals artifact in a small area; 3, moderate metal artifacts; 4, minimal metal artifacts; and 5, no metal artifacts.
Statistical Analysis
The SPSS Statistics 25 software package (IBM) was used to perform the statistical analyses. The paired Student t test was used to assess quantitative differences among the CT images reconstructed using hybrid-IR+MAR and MBIR+MAR. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to evaluate qualitative differences in image-quality scores between the 2 reconstruction algorithms. In the qualitative analysis, we calculated each of the weighted κ statistics for all combinations of the 2 readers to assess the degree of agreement among the 3 readers (ie, interobserver agreement). κ statistics of 0.81–1.00, 0.61–0.80, 0.41–0.60, 0.21–0.40, or 0.00–0.20 were interpreted as excellent, substantial, moderate, fair, or poor agreement, respectively.34 The relationship between the number of dental fillings or implants and the metal artifact reduction image-quality score in the qualitative analysis was analyzed by calculating the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Specifically, using Excel 2016 (Microsoft), we created an approximation curve by plotting the mean scores of the 3 readers that corresponded to the number of dental fillings or implants on a scatter diagram. The level of statistical significance was set at P < .05.
RESULTS
Patient Characteristics
Figure 2 presents the flow diagram used to determine the inclusion of potentially eligible patients. Overall, 40 patients were included. Table 1 presents the additional demographic and clinical characteristics of the study population. The number of metallic dental fillings or implants per patient ranged from 1 to 23 (median, 11). These fillings or implants were bilateral, right-sided, and left-sided in 37, 2, and 1 patient, respectively.
Flow diagram of the inclusion of potentially eligible patients.
Characteristics of the study population
Quantitative Analyses
Table 2 presents the findings from quantitative image analyses. At the apex of the tongue and nuchal muscle, the mean CT attenuation value and SD from MBIR+MAR were significantly lower than those from hybrid-IR+MAR (P < .01). At the apex of the tongue, hybrid-IR+MAR and MBIR+MAR yielded mean metal artifact index values of 82.2 (95% CI, 64.2–100.2) and 73.6 (95% CI, 53.0–94.1), respectively, and these values differed significantly between the 2 algorithms (95% CI, 2.6–14.7; P < .01). Notably, MBIR+MAR led to a reduction of 11% in the metal artifact index relative to hybrid-IR+MAR (Fig 3).
Boxplot comparison of the artifact index values calculated using the 2 reconstruction algorithms: hybrid-IR+MAR and MBIR+MAR. The asterisk indicates a significant difference (P < .01).
Quantitative evaluation of CT attenuation (HU) of the apex of the tongue and nuchal muscle
The median number of CT slices reconstructed was 102 (range, 83–118). The reconstruction times by hybrid-IR+MAR and MBIR+MAR were 2.1 and 37.6 seconds per section, respectively. In other words, MBIR+MAR required a reconstruction time >17 times longer than that of hybrid-IR+MAR.
Qualitative Analyses
The weighted κ statistic revealed excellent interobserver agreement among the 3 readers (κ range, 0.88–0.98). A comparison of the metal artifact reduction image-quality scores revealed that MBIR+MAR yielded significant reductions in metal artifacts compared with hybrid-IR+MAR (P < .01). Figure 4 demonstrates that MBIR+MAR improved the delineation of the oral structures and oral cavity cancers by significantly reducing metal artifacts relative to those produced by hybrid-IR+MAR.
Axial CT images of a 32-year-old man with left-tongue cancer. Reconstruction was performed using hybrid-IR+MAR (A) and MBIR+MAR (B). As shown, MBIR+MAR provided superior reduction of dental artifacts and a better depiction of the tumor (arrows).
Table 3 presents the image-quality scores of the depicted neck structures. All representative structures except the apex of the tongue had a mean score of ≥3, which was within the identifiable visual level; the apex of the tongue only had a score of ≥3 using MBIR+MAR. Comparisons revealed significant differences in the average scores obtained using the 2 reconstruction algorithms. MBIR+MAR yielded higher average scores for all representative structural depictions compared with hybrid-IR+MAR.
Qualitative evaluation of image-quality scores of representative structures
Finally, the approximate power curve indicated a negative relationship between the number of dental fillings or implants and the metal artifact reduction image-quality score, regardless of the reconstruction algorithm used. Higher scores were achieved with MBIR+MAR than with hybrid-IR+MAR (Fig 5). The cancer tumor stage diagnoses did not differ significantly with respect to the type of reconstruction algorithm.
Analysis of the correlation between the image-quality score of artifact reduction and the number of dental fillings or implants between the 2 reconstruction algorithms: hybrid-IR+MAR and MBIR+MAR.
DISCUSSION
This study aimed to compare the CT image quality achieved using a combination of MBIR and MAR versus that achieved with a combination of hybrid-IR and MAR in a sample of patients with oral or oropharyngeal cancer. Our quantitative analysis demonstrated that MBIR+MAR significantly reduced both the mean CT attenuation at the apex of the tongue and the metal artifact index compared with hybrid-IR+MAR. Also, our qualitative analysis demonstrated that MBIR+MAR yielded a more significant reduction of metal artifacts in the oral cavity than hybrid-IR+MAR. In other words, objective and subjective in vivo evaluations revealed significantly better artifact reduction and image quality with MBIR+MAR relative to hybrid-IR+MAR.
CT is considered a first-line diagnostic technique for oral cancer because of its broad availability, capacity for whole-body tumor staging, and good overall detection of sensitivity and specificity.35 However, it is essential to achieve an excellent image quality with minimal artifacts despite the presence of metal dental fillings or implants. Prior studies indicated a superior reduction of dental artifacts caused by dental hardware or diverse maxillofacial metal implants when several MAR algorithms from major vendors were used, compared with standard reconstruction.24⇓⇓⇓⇓-29 However, MAR algorithms may introduce new artifacts into the image. These new artifacts can appear as defects or blurring around metal hardware in the bone window.26,27 Recently, several clinical studies reported that the combination of spectral detector CT (or dual-energy CT) with virtual monoenergetic images and MAR provided optimal artifact reduction and improved diagnostic imaging assessments in patients with dental implants and bridges or metallic dental prostheses.36,37
As noted previously, the MBIR algorithm is a revolutionary reconstruction technology that uses various models and repeats the subtraction of original raw data after forward projection to yield a reconstructed image that differs minimally from the raw data. In addition to reducing image noise, only the MBIR algorithm reduces streak and beam-hardening artifacts, respectively.19 In a previous study, MBIR similarly reduced metal artifacts in the pelvis, spine, oral cavity, and extremities, which was to a greater extent than filtered back-projection or hybrid-IR.18⇓-20 Previous reports indicated a better reduction of metal artifacts when hybrid-IR+MAR was used, compared with MBIR without MAR.21,38 These results suggest that both MBIR and MAR can effectively reduce metal artifacts. Therefore, this in vivo study investigated the usefulness of MBIR+MAR for reducing metal artifacts in the oral cavity. We found that compared with hybrid-IR+MAR, MBIR+MAR provided better representations of normal neck structures and reduced metal artifacts. We attribute the improved image quality achieved with MBIR+MAR to the incorporation of MBIR settings such as the focus size, detector size, and voxel size, which would improve the spatial resolution. In previous analyses, Wellenberg et al39 and Neroladaki et al40 reported that MBIR+MAR significantly reduced orthopedic metal artifacts on pelvic CT images produced by other vendors., Although the results of those studies were consistent with our findings, the methods differed from ours in that either phantoms or small numbers of large orthopedic metal implants were used.
A previous phantom study observed that the metal artifacts increased and the CT image accuracy decreased as the number of metal implants in the oral cavity increased.41 From in our vivo study, we also concluded that the metal artifacts worsened as the number of dental fillings increased. MBIR+MAR was relatively less affected by an increased number of dental fillings or implants. Overall, our results demonstrate the specific clinical impact of the combination of MBIR and MAR, even though the metallic artifacts could not be removed completely. Specifically, this in vivo study revealed a reduction of metal artifacts on CT images of the neck region when using MBIR+MAR.
Our study had some limitations: First, U-HRCT, which first became commercially available in 2017, uses smaller detector elements equivalent to a quarter of the area of the elements in a conventional CT detector. In a previous report, U-HRCT with improved spatial resolution was shown to reduce the artifacts associated with calcified lesions in coronary arteries.42 Theoretically, U-HRCT with small detector elements would affect metal artifact reduction by improving the spatial resolution. In our study, however, all patients were scanned using U-HRCT; therefore, we could not evaluate the specific reduction of metal artifacts by U-HRCT. Second, in addition to dental fillings or implants, metal plates and screws used in postoperative applications are a major cause of image degradation and a main obstacle to the follow-up of local recurrence in patients with oral cancer. However, these devices were set as an exclusion criterion in this study. Third, the patient population was relatively small and derived from a single institution, and the study design was retrospective. Further studies with much larger samples are needed to reject null hypotheses with clinically negligible differences.43 Fourth, the inclusion of only patients with oropharyngeal and oral cancers with solid tumors of >2 cm might have led to selection bias. Ideally, we would have included early cancers because these would be most susceptible to metal artifacts. Finally, although MBIR+MAR has some advantages over hybrid-IR+MAR, as demonstrated in our study, it is also disadvantaged by significant computational requirements. Consequently, a longer reconstruction period is required. Future studies should aim to reduce the reconstitution time and increase the practical application of MBIR+MAR.
CONCLUSIONS
The combination of MBIR and MAR enabled the significant reduction of metal artifacts during oral cavity CT. Moreover, this reconstruction algorithm improved the depiction of structures in the neck with a minimal dependence on the number of dental fillings or implants.
Footnotes
The study was supported by a grant from Canon Medical Systems.
Disclosures: Yuko Kubo—RELATED: Grant: Canon Medical Systems.* Masahiko Kusumoto—RELATED: Grant: Canon Medical Systems*; UNRELATED: Payment for Lectures Including Service on Speakers Bureaus: Ono Pharmaceutical, AstraZeneca KK, MSD KK, Comments: I received honoraria for lecture fees from Ono Pharmaceutical, AstraZeneca KK, and MSD KK. Miyuki Sone—RELATED: Grant: Canon Medical Systems.* *Money paid to the institution.
Paper previously presented, in part, at: Annual Meeting of the European Society of Head and Neck Radiology, October 3–5, 2019; Palermo, Italy.
Indicates open access to non-subscribers at www.ajnr.org
References
- Received April 13, 2020.
- Accepted after revision July 7, 2020.
- © 2020 by American Journal of Neuroradiology
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