High-resolution CT using multidetector CT equipment: evaluation of image quality in 11 cadaveric lungs and a phantom.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the image quality and diagnostic efficacy of multidetector high-resolution CT (HRCT) by comparing it with single-detector HRCT and by comparing the noise and artifact of multidetector HRCT images with a phantom.


METHODS
Multidetector HRCT with six parameters and single-detector HRCT were performed on cadaveric lungs. The image quality and diagnostic efficacy of multidetector HRCT were evaluated in comparison with those of single-detector HRCT. A phantom was scanned, and image artifact and noise were investigated.


RESULTS
. The image quality of multidetector HRCT with axial 1.25 mm x 4i (four images per gantry rotation) mode was equal to that of single-detector HRCT. The image quality of multidetector HRCT with other modes was worse than that on single-detector HRCT. The diagnostic efficacy of multidetector HRCT with high-quality mode (pitch, 3:1) and axial mode was equal to that of single-detector HRCT. The diagnostic efficacy on multidetector HRCT with high-speed mode (pitch, 6:1) was worse than that on single-detector HRCT. In the phantom study, images made in high-speed mode had strong artifacts. Noise in the axial mode was milder than that in high-speed mode but more severe than that in high-quality mode.


CONCLUSIONS
The image quality of axial HRCT with multidetector CT is equal to that on single-detector HRCT. Axial HRCT with multidetector CT is appropriate for evaluating subtle lung abnormalities, but high-speed mode is unsuitable. Using the high-quality mode degrades image quality but is still worthwhile.
Honda
O
O
Department of Radiology, Osaka University Medical School, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
Johkoh
T
T
Tomiyama
N
N
Kozuka
T
T
Mihara
N
N
Koyama
M
M
Hamada
S
S
Naito
H
H
Nakamura
H
H
Kudo
M
M
D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*