Metal and motion artifacts by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in dental and maxillofacial study

Abstract

In our series Cone-Beam-CT diagnostic evaluation was never inhibited by metal artifacts and only in 1.9% of the cases by motion artifacts, always with a very low CT-dose-index.

Motion artefacts in cone beam CT: anin vitrostudy about the effects on the images

“…In fact, approximately 21-42% of the in vivo examinations exhibit motion artefacts. 2,3 Recently, several works have been published in the literature about movements in dental and maxillofacial CBCT, [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] but correlation between the various possible movements and the resulting different kinds of artefacts, which may be induced, is lacking.…”

Movement characteristics in young patients and the impact on CBCT image quality

“…12 It is well known that patient motion artefacts influence the obtainable resolution of the final CBCT reconstructed image, rather than the resolution of the unit's flat panel detector. 12 Very few studies 13,14,16 in the literature have assessed the image quality and visual characteristics of CBCT examination for the presence of artefacts supposedly related to patient movement. These studies reported that between 4.5% and 41.5% of CBCT examinations show artefacts suggestive of patient movement.…”

“…These studies reported that between 4.5% and 41.5% of CBCT examinations show artefacts suggestive of patient movement. 13,14,16 But, although some studies 7,8 report on the possible impact of motion artefacts on image quality, knowledge of which types and magnitudes of movements may considerably hamper the diagnostic outcome of a CBCT examination is still a key question. 8 Moreover, it is unclear whether observed artefacts in some studies 13,14,16 were in fact due to patient motion.…”

“…Being a child is logically one of the main factors related to movement during radiographic examination. 13,14,17 Considering the fact that children and young adults (between 10 and 25 years) have a larger radiation effect multiplication factor than the older population, 6 one can understand why this group of patients should be further studied in the issue of patient motion artefacts. We have previously suggested that, when movement is seen during the initial seconds in the examination, which go without radiation, the operator should terminate the examination and re-instruct the patient, avoiding a reexamination.…”

“…[9][10][11][12] According to the literature, patient motion artefacts in CBCT imaging appear mainly as stripe-and ring-like patterns, double bony contours and overall unsharpness. [13][14][15] The impact of patient motion artefacts on the various diagnostic tasks performed based on CBCT imaging is yet unknown. 16,17 If patient motion artefacts are present in an image, leading to compromised image quality, a re-exposure of the patient may be necessary.…”