Automatic removal of externally attached fiducial markers in cone beam C-arm CT

Abstract

In computed tomography fiducial markers are frequently used to obtain accurate point correspondences for further processing. These markers typically cause metal artefacts, decreasing image quality of the subsequent reconstruction and are therefore often removed from the projection data. The placement of such markers is usually done on a surface, separating two materials, e.g. skin and air. Hence, a correct restoration of the occluded area is difficult. In this work six state-of-the-art interpolation techniques for the removal of high-density fiducial markers from cone-beam CT projection data are compared. We conducted a qualitative and quantitative evaluation for the removal of such markers and the ability to reconstruct the adjoining edge. Results indicate that an iterative spectral deconvolution is best suited for this application, showing promising results in terms of edge, as well as noise restoration.