Clinical evaluation of the iterative metal artefact reduction algorithm for post-operative CT examination after maxillofacial surgery.

OBJECTIVES Metal artefacts present challenges to both radiologists and clinicians during post-operative imaging. Such artefacts reduce the diagnostic effectiveness of CT scans and mask findings that could be vital for patient management. Thus, a powerful artefact reduction tool is necessary when imaging patients with metal implants. Our aim was to test the recently introduced iterative metal artefact reduction (iMAR) algorithm in patients with maxillofacial implants. METHODS Images from 17 patients with diverse maxillofacial metal implants who had undergone CT scans were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed before and after metal artefact reduction with iMAR. RESULTS After iMAR application, images exhibited decreased artefacts and improved image quality, leading to detection of lesions that were previously masked by artefacts. The application of iMAR did not affect image quality in regions distant from the metal implants. CONCLUSIONS The application of iMAR to CT examinations of patients with maxillofacial metal implants leads to artefact reduction, improvement of image quality and increased diagnostic utility. Routine implementation of iMAR during imaging of patients with metal hardware implants could add diagnostic value to their CT examinations.