Ueli Studler, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Thomas Gluecker, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Georg Bongartz, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Wolfgang Steinbrich, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate chest image quality of reconstructed thin-sections obtained from a 16-row multidetector scanner as compared with axial high-resolution CT in the same patient.

Fifty consecutive patients referred for CT of the lung underwent multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) and subsequently an axial high-resolution CT (HRCT). The volumetric raw data from the MDCT were reconstructed into sections consisting of 2mm slice thickness, using a high-spatial-frequency reconstruction algorithm. Two authors independently rated the images from both methods for subjective image quality criteria. The results were compared for statistical significance by the Wilcoxon signed rank test, and after Bonferroni correction a p-value < 0.0045 was considered significant. Radiation dose for the axial HRCT and volumetric MDCT was calculated.

Compared with reconstructed thin-sections, relevant motion artifacts on high-resolution CT were significantly more common (p < 0.001). Although all other tested criteria showed no significant difference, including the overall image quality, assessment of ground-glass opacities seemed to be superior on axial HRCT without statistical significance (p = 0.008). The effective radiation doses were 3.8 mSv for the MDCT and 0.9 mSv for the HCRT.

Thin-section images reconstruction from multidetector-row CT results in less motion artifacts and a 24 percent decrease in radiation dose compared with axial high-resolution CT. These merits may compensate for the slight reduction in image quality on MDCT.

Studler, U, Gluecker, T, Bongartz, G, Steinbrich, W, High-Resolution CT of the Lung: Comparison of Image Quality from Axial Scans with Reconstructed Sections from Contiguous Data Acquisition Using MDCT.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4408893.html