Vassilios D. Raptopoulos MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Milliam Lika Kataoka MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Bettina Siewert, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

S. Nahum Goldberg, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Robert Glenn Sheiman MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jonathan Bruce Kruskal, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To assess the additional value of routine use of Multiplanar Reformations (MPR) in the interpretation of abdominal CT scans

We assessed the value of MPR in 380 consecutive patients undergoing abdominal and pelvic CT done in our institution for a variety of reasons, from non-specific abdominal pain to oncology follow up or acute trauma. Of those, 92 patients were scanned with 4-row, 177 with 8-row, 74 with 16-row and 37 with 64-row MDCT. The acquisition collimation was 2.5 mm with 4-row, 1.25 mm with 8-row and 16-row and 0.5-mm with 64-row scanners. Axial and MPR images were displayed as 5-mm thick slices. Grading was done in consensus by two radiologists (a resident and an attending) assigned to interpret the studies. A 5-grade scale of the perceived value of MPR was used: 1 = no additional value; 2 = subtle value, of no clinical importance; 3 = possible value; 4 = important and valuable findings; 5 = invaluable, abnormality first seen on MPR. For statistical analysis, comparison of proportions was used comparing the number of patients receiving MPR grades of 4 and 5, grouped by scanner type.

Of all 380 patients the value of MPR received a grade of 1 or 2 in 213 (56%), grade 3 in 98 (26%) and grade 4 or 5 in 69 (18%) studies. The value of MPR was substantial (grades 4 or 5) in 13 of 37 patients (35%) scanned with 64-row scanner. This was a statistically significantly larger proportion compared to scans that received similar grades (4 or 5) from 16-row, 16/74=21%, 8-row, 31/177=17%, and 4-row, 9/92=10% scanners (p < 0.05.) Although higher in proportion, the difference in number of scans that received grades 4 or 5 with 16-row compared to 8-row scanners and with 8-row compared to the 4-row scanners, the difference did not reach statistical significance. There was statistical significantly difference (p = 0.05), however, between 16-row and 4-row scanners

Routine use of MPR produces valuable information that is considered valuable in clinical interpretation of a large proportion of patients. The proportion of valuable results increases with the use of higher detector-row scanners and is significantly largest is studies done with 64-row MDCT.

M.L.K.: Toshiba Medical Systems FellowV.D.R.: Toshiba Medical Systems Grant Recipient

Raptopoulos, V, Kataoka, M, Siewert, B, Goldberg, S, Sheiman, R, Kruskal, J, Clinically Perceived Value of Routine Coronal and Sagittal Multiplanar Reconstructions in Abdominal CT Scans: Increased Value with Increased Detector-Rows from 4- to 64-row MDCT.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4410054.html