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fawk3s
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What exactly causes it when a metal object is placed near the scanner?
The starburst effect in CT scan is an artifact that appears as a bright, star-shaped pattern around metallic objects in the scanned image. It is caused by the x-rays passing through the metal and being scattered, resulting in an overestimation of the tissue density in that area.
The starburst effect is caused by the presence of metallic objects, such as surgical clips, dental fillings, or prosthetic joints, in the field of view during the CT scan. These objects can scatter the x-rays, leading to the bright star-shaped pattern in the image.
While it cannot be completely prevented, there are some techniques that can help reduce the starburst effect in CT scans. These include using a lower tube voltage, using a wider collimation, and positioning the patient and the metal object in a way that minimizes the angle between the x-rays and the metal object.
No, the starburst effect is not harmful to patients. It is simply an artifact that can affect the quality of the CT image. However, it can make it more difficult for the radiologist to interpret the image accurately, so it is important to try to minimize its presence.
There is no way to correct the starburst effect once it appears in the CT image. However, it can be minimized by using post-processing techniques, such as filtering or reconstruction algorithms, which can help reduce the impact of the artifact on the final image.