Purpose: To evaluate the effect of different numbers of basis images and the use of metal artifact reduction (MAR) on the production and reduction of artifacts in cone-beam computed tomography images.
Materials and methods: An acrylic resin phantom with a metal alloy sample was scanned, with 450 or 720 basis images and with or without MAR. Standard deviation values for the test areas (around the metal object) were obtained as a way of measuring artifact production. Two-way analysis of variance was used with a 5% significance level.
Results: There was no significant difference in artifact production among the images obtained with different numbers of basis images without MAR (P=.985). MAR significantly reduced artifact production in the test areas only in the protocol using 720 basis images (P=.017). The protocol using 450 basis images with MAR showed no significant difference in artifact production when compared to the protocol using 720 basis images with MAR (P=.579).
Conclusion: Protocols with a smaller number of basis images and with MAR activated are preferable for minimizing artifact production in tomographic images without exposing the patient to a greater radiation dose.
Keywords: Artifacts; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Phantoms, Imaging.