Metal streak artifacts in X-ray computed tomography: a simulation study

Metal streak artifacts are an important problem in X-ray computed tomography. A high-resolution 2D fan-beam computed tomography simulator is presented. Several potential causes of metal streak artifacts are studied using phantom measurements and simulations. Beam hardening, scatter, noise and exponential edge-gradient effect are identified as important causes of metal streak artifacts. Furthermore, also aliasing effects and object motion can be responsible for certain metal streak artifacts.