Three-dimensional display of pulmonary nodules using helical CT.
To evaluate the clinical usefulness of three-dimensional (3D) images of pulmonary nodules acquired using helical CT, 3D reconstructions were performed in 32 patients using a CEMAX VIPstation. The CT scanner employed was the Toshiba Xforce. Helical CT data were acquired using up to 20 continuous 1.5-sec rotations with an X-ray beam width of 5 mm and a couchtop movement speed of 5 mm/1.5 sec. Axial images were reconstructed at a section interval of 2 mm. The optimal lower and upper threshold CT values for 3D images were as follows: 1) solid pulmonary nodule (-700--400/-100 HU), 2) tumor invading pleura or chest wall (-700--400/-200 HU), 3) pulmonary nodule with cavity (-700--400/50 HU), 4) small pulmonary nodule (< 10 mm) (-750--650/-100 HU), and 5) arteriovenous malformation (180/500 HU). In all cases, it was possible not only to demonstrate abnormal findings three-dimensionally but also to grasp anatomical relationships among the pulmonary nodule, bronchi, vessels, and chest wall.
Shimizu
T
T
Department of Radiology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan.
Narabayashi
I
I
Uesugi
Y
Y
Tabuchi
K
K
Namba
R
R
Nakata
Y
Y
Saika
Y
Y
Matsui
R
R
Sueyoshi
K
K
Kawai
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*