Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the image quality and degree of metal artifact reduction using the new-generation gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) and metal artifact reduction software (MARs) and to demonstrate the optimal monochromatic energy level for dual-energy cerebral computed tomography angiography (CTA) in patients with intracranial aneurysm after endovascular treatment.
Material and methods: A total of 20 patients with cerebral aneurysms treated with coils or clips underwent CTA using gemstone spectral computed tomography. Artifact index was calculated at each energy level with and without MARs. Signal-to-noise (SNR) and contrast-to-noise (CNR) ratios were calculated on all axial images with MARs; subjective evaluation was done by using a 4-point scale and a 3-point scale for assessing noise and vessel contrast, respectively, and compared between the monochromatic energy levels.
Results: The artifact index value of group GSI-MARs was significantly lower than that of group GSI at each monochromatic energy level (all, P < 0.01). Contrast-to-noise ratio and SNR of the parent arteries decreased as the energy increased from 40 to 140 keV in group GSI-MARs (all, P < 0.01). Signal-to-noise ratio and CNR between each 2 adjacent monochromatic energy level showed significant difference (all, P < 0.01). Subjective evaluation showed that a monochromatic energy level between 40 and 70 keV provided the optimal image quality.
Conclusion: Gemstone spectral imaging with MARs could reduce metal artifacts and improve the image quality of cerebral CTA after coil or clip treatment. The new generation of GSI could provide better CNR and SNR at lower energy level, and the best image quality was obtained at energy level 40 to 70 keV for GSI-MARs.