Methods to address metal artifacts in post-processed CT images - A do-it-yourself guide for orthopedic surgeons.

Computed tomography (CT) scans are often used for postoperative imaging in orthopedics. In the presence of metallic hardware, artifacts are generated, which can hamper visualization of the CT images, and also render the study ineffective for 3-D printing. Various solutions are available to minimize metal artifacts, and radiologists can employ these before or after processing the CT study. However, the orthopedic surgeon may be faced with situations where the metal artifacts were not addressed. To counter such problems, we present three do-it-yourself (DIY) techniques that can be used to manage metal artifacts.