Imaging Sci Dent.  2020 Jun;50(2):153-159. 10.5624/isd.2020.50.2.153.

Influence of reconstruction parameters of micro-computed tomography on the analysis of bone mineral density

• Gaêta-Araujo H
• Nascimento EHL
• Brasil DM
• Madlum DV
• Haiter-Neto F
• Oliveira-Santos C

• KMID: 2506012
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2020.50.2.153

Abstract

Purpose
This study was conducted evaluate the influence of reconstruction parameters of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) images on bone mineral density (BMD) analyses.
Materials and Methods
The sample consisted of micro-CT images of the maxillae of 5 Wistar rats, acquired using a SkyScan 1174 unit (Bruker, Kontich, Belgium). Each acquisition was reconstructed following the manufacturer's recommendations (standard protocol; SP) for the application of artifact correction tools (beam hardening correction [BHC], 45%; smoothing filter, degree 2; and ring artifact correction [RAC], level 5). Additionally, images were reconstructed with 36 protocols combining different settings of artifact correction tools (P0 to P35). BMD analysis was performed for each reconstructed image. The BMD values obtained for each protocol were compared to those obtained using the SP through repeated-measures analysis of variance with the Dunnett post hoc test (α=0.05).
Results
The BMD values obtained from all protocols that used a BHC of 45% did not significantly differ from those obtained using the SP (p>0.05). The other protocols all yielded significantly different BMD values from the SP (p<0.05). The smoothing and RAC tools did not affect BMD values.
Conclusion
BMD values measured on micro-CT images were influenced by the BHC level. Higher levels of BHC induced higher values of BMD.

Keyword

Artifacts; Bone Density; X-Ray Microtomography