Spiral CT of the chest: comparison of cine and film-based viewing

Abstract

Purpose: To determine radiologists' ability to find lung nodules on spiral computed tomographic (CT) scans of the chest with both rapid sequential (cine) and conventional film-based viewing.

Materials and methods: Eight radiologists searched for lung nodules on spiral CT images (10-mm collimation, 10 mm/sec table speed) presented in two formats. Cine viewing was performed at a computer work-station; sections were viewed in 2-mm increments at frame rates up to 10 frames per second. Film-based viewing of images from a laser printer was performed with a lightbox; sections were viewed at 4-mm increments. Eight 3-5-mm-diameter simulated nodules were superimposed on each of five normal CT scans.

Results: Radiologists found a higher fraction of nodules with the cine presentation than with film (mean, 0.69 +/- 0.02 [standard error] versus 0.58 +/- 0.03, respectively [P = .006]). Diameter thresholds for nodule detection (50% correctly localized) were 3.3 and 3.5 mm, respectively.

Conclusion: Cine viewing of spiral CT images of the chest improved radiologists' ability to detect nodules.