BACKGROUND: Maximum intensity projection (MIP) images might be useful in helping to differentiate small pulmonary nodules from adjacent vessels on thoracic multidetector CT (MDCT). OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the benefits of axial MIP images over axial source images for the paediatric chest in an interobserver variability study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 46 children with extra-pulmonary solid organ malignancy who had undergone thoracic MDCT. Three radiologists independently read 2-mm axial and 10-mm MIP image datasets, recording the number of nodules, size and location, overall time taken and confidence. RESULTS: There were 83 nodules (249 total reads among three readers) in 46 children (mean age 10.4 ± 4.98 years, range 0.3-15.9 years; 24 boys). Consensus read was used as the reference standard. Overall, three readers recorded significantly more nodules on MIP images (228 vs. 174; P < 0.05), improving sensitivity from 67% to 77.5% (P < 0.05) but with lower positive predictive value (96% vs. 85%, P < 0.005). MIP images took significantly less time to read (71.6 ± 43.7 s vs. 92.9 ± 48.7 s; P < 0.005) but did not improve confidence levels. CONCLUSION: Using 10-mm axial MIP images for nodule detection in the paediatric chest enhances diagnostic performance, improving sensitivity and reducing reading time when compared with conventional axial thin-slice images. Axial MIP and axial source images are complementary in thoracic nodule detection.
BACKGROUND: Maximum intensity projection (MIP) images might be useful in helping to differentiate small pulmonary nodules from adjacent vessels on thoracic multidetector CT (MDCT). OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the benefits of axial MIP images over axial source images for the paediatric chest in an interobserver variability study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 46 children with extra-pulmonary solid organ malignancy who had undergone thoracic MDCT. Three radiologists independently read 2-mm axial and 10-mm MIP image datasets, recording the number of nodules, size and location, overall time taken and confidence. RESULTS: There were 83 nodules (249 total reads among three readers) in 46 children (mean age 10.4 ± 4.98 years, range 0.3-15.9 years; 24 boys). Consensus read was used as the reference standard. Overall, three readers recorded significantly more nodules on MIP images (228 vs. 174; P < 0.05), improving sensitivity from 67% to 77.5% (P < 0.05) but with lower positive predictive value (96% vs. 85%, P < 0.005). MIP images took significantly less time to read (71.6 ± 43.7 s vs. 92.9 ± 48.7 s; P < 0.005) but did not improve confidence levels. CONCLUSION: Using 10-mm axial MIP images for nodule detection in the paediatric chest enhances diagnostic performance, improving sensitivity and reducing reading time when compared with conventional axial thin-slice images. Axial MIP and axial source images are complementary in thoracic nodule detection.
Authors: James F Gruden; Serge Ouanounou; Stefan Tigges; Shannon D Norris; Todd S Klausner Journal: AJR Am J Roentgenol Date: 2002-07 Impact factor: 3.959
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Authors: Atia Samim; Annemieke S Littooij; Marry M van den Heuvel-Eibrink; Frank J Wessels; Rutger A J Nievelstein; Pim A de Jong Journal: Pediatr Radiol Date: 2017-09-04
Authors: Yun Jung Bae; Byung Se Choi; Kyung Mi Lee; Yeon Hong Yoon; Leonard Sunwoo; Cheolkyu Jung; Jae Hyoung Kim Journal: Korean J Radiol Date: 2017-05-19 Impact factor: 3.500