title: Screening for interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis: the diagnostic accuracy of HRCT image series with high increment and reduced number of slices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to assess diagnostic accuracy for the detection of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in image series with high increment and reduced number of slices in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).
  
  
  METHODS
  45 patients with SSc underwent high-resolution CT (HRCT). Three series of secondary captures were reconstructed as follows: series 1, series with 10 mm increment and 1 mm slices; series 2, seven axial images with baso-apical gradient; series 3, three axial images were obtained at the apical, at the level of the carina and basal. The presence and extent of ILD, and the degree of diagnostic confidence were recorded. The effective dose for each image series was estimated. Standard HRCT was the standard of reference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of ILD was 55% (25/45). Diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy of series 1, series 2 and series 3 were 100% and 94.4%, 94% and 97.8%, 92% and 97.8%, respectively. The extent of ILD was underestimated in series 3 (p<0.05) and was comparable to the standard HRCT in series 1 and 2 (p>0.05). Estimated dose reduction was more than 90% in all image series.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HRCT image series with low sampling rate allow an accurate detection of ILD with very-low-radiation dose, making this approach potentially valuable for screening in patients with SSc.
authors: Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Winklehner
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Berger
authors: Britta
authors: B
authors: Maurer
authors: Oliver
authors: O
authors: Distler
authors: Hatem
authors: H
authors: Alkadhi
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Frauenfelder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods