Computer-aided measurements of pulmonary emphysema in chest multidetector-row spiral computed tomography: effect of image reconstruction parameters.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of different image reconstruction parameters on quantitative automated measurements of pulmonary emphysema in chest multidetector-row spiral computed tomography.


METHODS
Thirty patients with known emphysema underwent multidetector-row spiral computed tomography. Retrospective reconstruction with a soft tissue kernel (Siemens B20 at 1-mm, 2-mm, and 3-mm slices) and 4 alternative kernel grades (from smooth to sharp: Siemens B30, B40, B50, B60 at 1-mm slices) was performed. Total lung volume, emphysema volume (EV), 15th percentile density, and 4 EV clusters were quantified. Results were compared with those of standard algorithm B20/1-mm slices.


RESULTS
Differences in total lung volume were less than 0.2%. Alternative kernel grades resulted in a significantly increased average EV. The 15th percentile density showed a significant average difference for all alternative algorithms. The large emphysema cluster showed a significant change for reconstruction algorithms B50, B60, B20/2 mm and B20/3 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
Pulmonary EV is significantly affected by different reconstruction algorithms.
Behrendt
Florian F
FF
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, RWTH-Aachen University, Aachen, Germany. behrendt@rad.rwth-aachen.de
Das
Marco
M
Mahnken
Andreas H
AH
Kraus
Thomas
T
Bakai
Annemarie
A
Stanzel
Sven
S
Günther
Rolf W
RW
Wildberger
Joachim E
JE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*