title: Comparison between postprocessing techniques in the analysis of hepatic arteries using multi-detector-row computed tomography angiography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose was to compare 4 different postprocessing techniques (maximum-intensity projection [MIP], multiplanar reconstruction, curved planar reconstruction, and volume rendering [VR]) for the study of hepatic arteries.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred thirty-seven patients who underwent multi-detector-row computed tomography angiography between August 2009 and January 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. For each patient and for each reconstruction method, the image quality was evaluated and the interobserver and intraobserver agreement was calculated according to Cohen statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Pearson r between the observers for the common hepatic artery measurement (Hounsfield unit) was good (r = 0.88). The VR showed a Cohen κ value of 0.78, and the highest image-quality score was obtained using MIP (total value, 384; mean value, 3.01) for observer 1 and using VR and MIP for observer 2 (mean value of 2.94).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maximum-intensity projection and VR showed the optimal interobserver and intraobserver agreement and the highest quality scores and therefore should be used as postprocessing techniques when analyzing the hepatic arteries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.), Cagliari, Italy. lucasaba@tiscali.it
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Saba
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sanfilippo
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anzidei
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Montisci
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pascalis
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mallarini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; C057937:iomeprol; D007479:Iopamidol