title: Combined multi-kernel chest computed tomography images optimized for depicting both lung and soft tissue.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the quality of our improved multi-kernel chest computed tomography (CT) images.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random sample of 50 normal patients was retrospectively selected from those who underwent chest CT scans between January 2010 and July 2010. Normal lung structures were divided into six categories, and two radiologists independently compared with lung images.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The improved multi-kernel images were displayed identically to soft tissue images on soft tissue window settings and were evaluated as equal to lung images on lung window settings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This improved multi-kernel technique required fewer stored images and simplified examinations of chest CT.
authors.affiliation: Radiological Center, National Defense Medical College Hospital, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan; Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan. Electronic address: rt.stakagi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takagi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Maebashi Red Cross Hospital, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nagase
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan; Department of Radiological Technology, Toranomon Hospital, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.
authors.forename: Tamotsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kita
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.
authors.forename: Katsumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sanada
authors.affiliation: Radiological Center, National Defense Medical College Hospital, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koike
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016477:Artifacts; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D011871:Radiology / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Chest computed tomography; Combined multi-kernel; Reconstruction kernel; Window settings