Analisis Informasi Anatomi MSCT Head Dengan Variasi IBHC dan Kernel Untuk Mengurangi Artefak Beam Hardening

Abstract

Background: Beam hardening artifact is one of the limitations of Multi-Slice Computed Tomography (MSCT), occurring due to changes in the X-ray spectrum when passing through dense materials. This artifact often appears in the head region, particularly in the posterior fossa, and can interfere with anatomical information and pixel intensity evaluation in MSCT images. The Iterative Beam Hardening Correction (IBHC) technique is used to iteratively reduce these artifacts during the post-processing stage. This study aims to determine the differences in anatomical information and beam hardening artifacts in head MSCT with variations of kernel and IBHC, and to identify the most optimal protocol.
Methods: This study utilized a quantitative-experimental design with a sample of 10 patients who underwent non-contrast MSCT head examinations at Oetomo Hospital, Bandung. The raw data were reconstructed into four variations: Hr40 + IBHC On, Hr40 + IBHC Off, Hc40 + IBHC On, and Hc40 + IBHC Off. Three radiologists evaluated the resulting images using a questionnaire to assess anatomical information (petrous bone, cerebellum, mid brain, pons) and beam hardening artifacts. Data analysis was performed using the Friedman test.
Results: The Friedman test showed a significant difference in overall anatomical information (p=0.000,p<0.05) and beam hardening artifacts (p=0.002,p<0.05). The analysis per anatomical structure revealed significant differences in the cerebellum and mid brain, but not in the petrous bone. Based on the mean rank, the Hc40 + IBHC On kernel combination provided the best anatomical information (3.00), followed by Hr40 + IBHC On (2.94), Hc40 + IBHC Off (2.15), and Hr40 + IBHC Off (1.91). For beam hardening artifacts, the Hc40 + IBHC On combination yielded the lowest value (1.80), indicating the most optimal artifact reduction.
Conclusions: There are significant differences in anatomical information and beam hardening artifacts with variations in kernel and IBHC during MSCT head examinations. The Hc40 kernel with IBHC On is the most optimal protocol, as it provides the best anatomical visualization and effectively reduces beam hardening artifacts.Keywords: MSCT Head, Kernel, IBHC, Beam Hardening Artifact.