CT-Guided Intervention: Reduction of Metal Artifact Using an Off-Axis Reconstruction Method
Ali Mutlu1, Allison B Couillard1, Adrienne L Kisting1
1Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.
Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography
|July 16, 2026
Summary
Needle-ART significantly reduces CT metal artifacts from biopsy needles in organs like the liver, kidney, and lung. This novel technique improves image quality for CT-guided procedures.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Radiology
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- CT-guided procedures often suffer from needle-induced artifacts.
- These artifacts can obscure critical anatomy and hinder accurate needle placement.
- Existing artifact reduction methods have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the Needle artifact redistribution technique (Needle-ART).
- To assess artifact reduction capabilities of Needle-ART in CT-guided biopsy procedures.
- To determine the clinical applicability of Needle-ART in liver, kidney, and lung interventions.
Main Methods:
- A paired before-and-after study was conducted on deceased swine.
- Needle-ART involved tilting the CT gantry by 6 degrees during image acquisition.
- Images were reformatted along the needle trajectory and assessed by blinded radiologists for artifact severity.
Main Results:
- Needle-ART significantly reduced artifact length, width, and intensity across liver, kidney, and lung.
- Mean artifact length reduction ranged from 35.5% to 65.9%.
- Radiologists rated artifacts as significantly less severe with Needle-ART compared to standard CT.
Conclusions:
- The off-axis reconstruction method (Needle-ART) effectively reduces metal artifacts.
- Tilting the CT gantry by 6 degrees is key to redistributing artifacts.
- Needle-ART shows promise for improving CT-guided interventions.
