Chest computed tomography display preferences. Survey of thoracic radiologists.
OBJECTIVE
The authors conducted a survey of dedicated thoracic radiologists and tabulated their preferences for reconstruction algorithm, display, and photography of computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest.


METHODS
Data were derived from a mail survey of 343 active members of the Society of Thoracic Radiology and based on a set of 20 questions about the display and photography of chest CT scans. The response rate was 35.4%.


RESULTS
There were 119 usable replies from 31 states and 8 countries. Although there was considerable variation, the questionnaire indicates that the "typical" dedicated thoracic radiologist, regardless of practice setting, uses a standard reconstruction algorithm for chest CT and prints images on a laser imager using the "sharp" setting with a 12-on-1 format. Window settings for evaluating the lung are window-width 1500 HU and window-level -600 HU. Window settings for evaluating the mediastinum are window-width 350 HU and window-level 40 HU.


CONCLUSIONS
Although there is wide variation in the preferences used to display and photograph chest CT scans, most thoracic radiologists have similar display preferences.
Department of Radiology (ZA-65), Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle 98104, USA.
E J
EJ
Stern
M S
MS
Frank
J D
JD
Godwin
D000465:Algorithms; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003626:Data Display; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007834:Lasers; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010781:Photography; D011364:Professional Practice; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D011871:Radiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed