Ondrejová Bibiána, Rajťúková Viktória, Šavrtková Kristína, Galajdová Alena, Živčák Jozef, Hudák Radovan
Department of Biomedical Engineering and Measurement, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Košice, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia.
Department of Industrial Automation and Mechatronics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Košice, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia.
Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Apr 3;13(7):803. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13070803.
: Cranial reconstruction (cranioplasty) is a surgical procedure performed to restore skull function and aesthetics following trauma, oncological conditions, or congenital defects. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used for the postoperative monitoring and diagnosis of patients with cranial implants. However, MRI artifacts caused by these implants can compromise imaging accuracy and diagnostic precision. This study aims to evaluate the extent of MRI artifacts caused by titanium and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) cranial implants and to identify optimal imaging sequences to minimize these artifacts. : Phantom skull models with cranial defects of varying sizes (one-quarter, one-third, and one-half of the skull) were used to simulate real-world clinical conditions. The defects were filled with a water-based medium containing simulated brain tissue and tumor models. Custom 3D-printed titanium and PEEK cranial implants were fixed onto the phantom skulls and scanned using 1.5 T and 3 T MRI scanners. Various imaging sequences were tested, with a focus on optimizing parameters to reduce artifact formation. Turbo Spin Echo (TSE) sequences with fat saturation were implemented to assess their effectiveness in artifact reduction. : The study found that MRI artifacts varied based on the implant material, defect size, and magnetic field strength. A higher field strength (3 T) resulted in more pronounced artifacts. However, the use of TSE sequences with fat saturation significantly reduced artifacts and improved lesion visualization, enhancing diagnostic accuracy. : This research highlights the importance of optimized MRI protocols when imaging patients with cranial implants. Proper selection of imaging sequences, particularly TSE with fat saturation, can mitigate artifacts and improve diagnostic precision, ultimately benefiting patient outcomes in clinical radiology.
颅骨重建(颅骨成形术)是一种外科手术,用于在创伤、肿瘤疾病或先天性缺陷后恢复颅骨功能和美观。磁共振成像(MRI)常用于颅骨植入患者的术后监测和诊断。然而,这些植入物引起的MRI伪影会影响成像准确性和诊断精度。本研究旨在评估钛和聚醚醚酮(PEEK)颅骨植入物引起的MRI伪影程度,并确定能将这些伪影降至最低的最佳成像序列。使用具有不同尺寸颅骨缺损(颅骨的四分之一、三分之一和二分之一)的颅骨模型模拟实际临床情况。缺损处填充含有模拟脑组织和肿瘤模型的水基介质。定制的3D打印钛和PEEK颅骨植入物固定在颅骨模型上,并使用1.5T和3T MRI扫描仪进行扫描。测试了各种成像序列,重点是优化参数以减少伪影形成。采用了具有脂肪抑制的快速自旋回波(TSE)序列来评估其减少伪影的效果。研究发现,MRI伪影因植入物材料、缺损大小和磁场强度而异。较高的场强(3T)会导致更明显的伪影。然而,使用具有脂肪抑制的TSE序列可显著减少伪影并改善病变可视化,提高诊断准确性。这项研究强调了对颅骨植入患者进行成像时优化MRI协议的重要性。正确选择成像序列,特别是具有脂肪抑制的TSE序列,可以减轻伪影并提高诊断精度,最终使临床放射学中的患者受益。