title: [Computer-assisted diagnostic procedure for multislice computed tomography for assessment of the pulmonary arterial circulation. Clinical relevance].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A recently developed CAD software which highlights intravascular thrombotic structures from multislice computed tomography (MSCT) data was tested regarding feasibility, interobserver reliability and effect on radiology reports.
  
  
  METHODS
  The CAD system ImageChecker® CT-Lung was tested in a randomized double-blinded study on 160 MSCT datasets (standardized technical conditions) performed for suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). The CAD data and images were analyzed by three radiologists in an independent and blinded fashion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data from all 160 cases could be analyzed and 604 CAD prompts were set. Using the CAD analysis significantly more PEs were found in the peripheral pulmonary arterial circulation than described in the initial report. In 38 cases the 3 radiologists in consensus scored the images with the CAD adjunct as PE positive in peripheral vessels, which were initially reported as negative. Despite differences in the evaluation between two radiologists the amended assessment of the imaging data using the CAD softwear was reliable. There was a significant correlation between D-dimer values and the number of embolic structures detected by the CAD analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The recently developed CAD system is a useful adjunct as second reader to detect subtle emboli in peripheral vessels of MSCT datasets.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Radiologie, Südharz-Krankenhaus Nordhausen, Dr.-R.-Koch-Str. 39, 99734, Nordhausen, Deutschland. ansgar.malich@shk-ndh.de
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malich
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hentrich
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hansch
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Böttcher
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Teichgräber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult