title: A comparison of axial versus coronal image viewing in computer-aided detection of lung nodules on CT.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare primarily viewing axial images (Axial mode) versus coronal reconstruction images (Coronal mode) in computer-aided detection (CAD) of lung nodules on multidetector computed tomography (CT) in terms of detection performance and reading time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty CT data sets from two institutions were collected prospectively. Ten observers (6 radiologists, 4 pulmonologists) with varying degrees of experience interpreted the data sets using CAD as a second reader (performing nodule detection first without then with aid). The data sets were interpreted twice, once each for Axial and Coronal modes, in two sessions held 4 weeks apart. Jackknife free-response receiver-operating characteristic analysis was used to compare detection performances in the two modes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean figure-of-merit values with and without aid were 0.717 and 0.684 in Axial mode and 0.702 and 0.671 in Coronal mode; use of CAD significantly increased the performance of observers in both modes (P < 0.01). Mean reading times for radiologists did not significantly differ between Axial (156 ± 74 s) and Coronal mode (164 ± 69 s; P = 0.08). Mean reading times for pulmonologists were significantly lower in Coronal (112 ± 53 s) than in Axial mode (130 ± 80 s; P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no statistically significant difference between Axial and Coronal modes for lung nodule detection with CAD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kanagawa Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, 6-16-1, Tomiokahigashi, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0051, Japan, tae_i_md@wb3.so-net.ne.jp.
authors.forename: Tae
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iwasawa
authors.forename: Sumiaki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Takatoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aoki
authors.forename: Fumito
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamagata
authors.forename: Yoshiharu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ohno
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D015588:Observer Variation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity