Volume-artifact reduction technique by spiral CT in the anterior, middle and posterior cranial fossae. Comparison with conventional cranial CT

Abstract

The object of this study was to determine the extent to which a new volume-artifact reduction (VAR) modality using helical CT was able to reduce artifacts in the anterior, middle and posterior fossae in comparison with conventional CT (sequential mode). In a prospective, randomized trial, 50 patients underwent helical CT (VAR) and 50 underwent sequential CT. The results were evaluated by three radiologists; influences on image quality where scaled between 1 (no artifact) and 4 (not assessable). Eight regions of the anterior, middle and posterior fossae were evaluated. On average, artifacts were scaled at 2.5 in helical CT (VAR) and 3.1 in conventional CT. Significant differences were seen at the eyeball, anterior to the petrosal bone, at the internal occipital crest, and at the level of the transverse sinus (p < 0.005). Helical CT with the VAR modality is superior to conventional, sequential CT in the area of the anterior, middle and posterior fossae.