title: Clinical evaluation of the iterative metal artefact reduction algorithm for post-operative CT examination after maxillofacial surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Arsany
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9431-1069
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hakim
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Slotboom
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lieger
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schlittler
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giger
authors.affiliation: 4 University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wiest
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D016477:Artifacts; D015921:Dental Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013557:Switzerland; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D008670:Metals
keywords: CT; artefacts; dental; metal; osteosynthesis; post-operative