Use of thin-section, multidetector row helical CT images for coronal oblique reformations for optimal visualization of structures in the hepatoduodenal ligament.
Multidetector row computed tomography (CT) can acquire abdominal images of unprecedented thinness in a single breath-hold. This study investigated whether acquiring source axial images at 1.25 mm as opposed to 2.5 mm would result in a perceptible difference in image quality for coronal oblique reformations. Similarly, the hypothesis that a slice pitch of 3:1 would be superior to 6:1 was evaluated. Twenty-nine CT studies were retrospectively evaluated. The images were divided into four groups: 1.25-mm axial images, pitch 3:1; 2.5-mm axial images, pitch 3:1; 1.25-mm axial images, pitch 6:1; and 2.5-mm axial images, pitch 6:1. Three radiologists evaluated by consensus the coronal oblique reformations for overall image quality and image quality of structures in the hepatoduodenal ligament and of nodal groups. Use of 1.25-mm rather than of 2.5-mm source axial images resulted in statistically significant better scores for overall image quality and visualization of the hepatic artery, portal vein, pancreatic duct, and nodal groups. However, a pitch of 3:1 rather than of 6:1 did not result in significant differences in ratings of image quality. Use of 1.25-mm rather than of 2.5-mm source axial images improves image quality when creating coronal oblique reformations for abdominal anatomy.
Department of Radiology, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Box 57, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
S C
SC
Faria
E P
EP
Tamm
R
R
DuBrow
C
C
David
E
E
Loyer
D
D
Herron
Y
Y
Sawaf
G
G
Ball
P M
PM
Silverman
C
C
Charnsangavej
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004386:Duodenum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008022:Ligaments / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed