Abstract

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Title:: Value of open-mouth scanning for artifact reduction in CT scanning of patients with metallic oral implants

Author(s):: ZHAO Dongdong; XIE Jiarui; DENG Lingbo; ZHANG Hui; Department of Medical Imaging, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518036, China

Abstract:: Objective To explore the advantages and clinical potential of open-mouth CT scanning in reducing oral artifacts. Methods Fifty-one patients with oral and maxillofacial space-occupying lesions and wearing metallic dentures were enrolled. All of them underwent routine CT scan fist and then enhanced CT scan following insertion of a bite block into the mouth. The related slice of artifacts such as tongue, palate and gum were selected, and in which the region of interest was delineated. The advantages and disadvantages of conventional closed-mouth scanning and open-mouth scanning were discussed by calculating artifact indexes and subjectively scoring the image quality by senior doctors. Results Scanning was successfully performed in all patients. Compared with closed-mouth group, open-mouth group had smaller artifact index (P<0.001) and higher subjective score (P<0.001). The artifacts in the lesion area were reduced in 38 out of 51 cases, and the lesion area was staggered from the metallic artifact level in 12 cases. The open-mouth scanning showed the lesion clearly, with high contrast and the best image quality. Conclusion The open-mouth position can effectively reduce artifacts in CT scanning of patients with space-occupying lesions in the oral, and improve image quality.