Total hip prosthesis CT with single-energy projection-based metallic artifact reduction: impact on the visualization of specific periprosthetic soft tissue structures.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the image quality of CT with iterative reconstruction alone and in association with projection-based single-energy metal artifact reduction (SEMAR) for the visualization of specific periarticular soft tissue structures in patients with hip prostheses.

METHODS: CT studies from 48 consecutive patients with a hip prosthesis (24 unilateral and 24 bilateral) were retrospectively reconstructed using two different methods: iterative reconstruction (IR) alone and IR associated with SEMAR. The influence of metallic artifacts on the identification of various periarticular structures was evaluated subjectively by two readers. The image quality was compared in patients with unilateral and bilateral prostheses.

RESULTS: Visualization of periprosthetic soft tissue was significantly improved by the SEMAR algorithm (p < 0.0001). When SEMAR was associated with IR, the gluteus minimus and medius tendons, obturator internus muscle, prostate/uterus and bladder could be seen with medium or high confidence. There were no significant differences in image quality between patients with unilateral or bilateral prosthesis when SEMAR was used (p > 0.2). This algorithm increased the detection of periarticular masses by 30%.

CONCLUSION: SEMAR significantly improves the image quality of periarticular soft-tissue structures in patients with hip prostheses.