Optimisation of monoenergetic images to reduce banding artifacts in the lower cervical spine using dual-layer spectral computed tomography: A retrospective study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the application value of dual-layer detector computed tomography (CT) single-energy spectral images for reducing artifacts in the lower cervical spine. MethodsSixty-three patients who underwent neck examination using spectral CT between March 2022 and January 2023 were selected as the participants. Conventional mixed-energy images and spectral imaging data at 40–200 KeV were obtained from the spectral CT scans. The standard deviation (SD), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), |CTdifference| (the difference in CT value between the C6–7 and C3–4 artifact regions) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the C6–7 spinal canal were measured. The image quality of the artifact region in the conventional and single images were compared. ResultsThe SDintervertebral disc value was highest in the single-level 40 KeV images and lowest in the 120 KeV images (P<0.05). The SNR was lowest in the 40 KeV images (2.07 ± 2.74) and highest in the 120 KeV images (6.20 ± 5.26) (P<0.05). The CTdifference was highest in the 40 KeV images and lowest in the 120 KeV images (108.38 vs 10.63 ± 8.58). The subjective image quality scores were lowest in the 40 KeV images and highest in the 120 KeV images. ConclusionOur findings suggest that single-energy 120 KeV images may offer benefits such as low SDintervertebral disc, elevated SNR, higher CNR and improved image quality.