Evaluation of motion artifacts in cone-beam computed tomography with three different patient positioning

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), despite its advantages, has some drawbacks, such as artifacts and movement of the patient during scanning may lead to motion artifacts (MAs). This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the MAs in three different CBCT devices and to analyze their relationship with age, the gender of the patients, and scanning times.

This study included 360 CBCT images from three institutions scanned in standing, sitting and supine positions. MAs presence, age, gender, and scanning times were recorded. Of the patients, 129 were scanned in standing position, 131 in sitting position, and 100 in supine position.

MAs were found in 6.7% of patients in total; 8%, 7.6%, and 4% in standing, sitting, and supine positions, respectively. No statistically significant relationship was observed between MAs presence and patient position. The mean age of the patients with MAs was higher than patients without, in total and in standing positions. Scanning time showed no correlation with artifact presence.

Patient position is not related to MAs presence. The age of the patient is a factor in movement, and has a high impact in standing position. Although insignificant, MAs were less common in supine position than sitting and standing positions. Sitting and supine positioning might reduce motion artifacts in older patients.