Lung at Thin-Section CT: Influence of Multiple-Segment Reconstruction on Image Quality
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate multiple-segment reconstruction to reduce cardiac-motion artifacts on thin-section computed tomographic (CT) images in the lung.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients were enrolled in the study. All images were obtained with a scanner capable of 1-second revolution time. Routine lung thin-section CT examination was performed with images reconstructed with bone algorithm. Multiple-segment images reconstructed with lung algorithm were obtained for three levels in the left paracardiac region. Segment images were reconstructed retrospectively with data for 225° rotation rather than the 360° rotation used for a complete scan. To minimize differences resulting from reconstruction algorithms, additional nonsegmented reconstruction was performed with lung algorithm. Three radiologists reviewed each set of images and assigned a quality score. Multiway analysis of variance was performed to compare motion artifact reduction with 225° and 360° reconstructions.
RESULTS: Differences were not significant (P > .05) between scores for images reconstructed with bone or lung algorithms. Differences were significant between scores for reconstructed images obtained with the combination of 360° bone and 225° segment algorithms (P < .001) and for those obtained with the combination of 360° lung and 225° segment algorithms (P < .001).
CONCLUSION: Multiple-segment reconstruction of lung thin-section CT images is an effective technique for reducing cardiac-motion artifacts without increasing patient dose.
© RSNA, 2003
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